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HOW  THEY  WIN. 


ILLUSTRATED  IN  THE  CAREER  OP 

EIGHT  HUNDRED  EMINENT  MEN. 


BY 


MATTHEW  HALE  SMITH, 

(“  Burleigh  ” of  the  Boston  Journal.) 

AUTHOR  OP 

“Sunshine  and  Shadow  in  New  York,”  “Bulls  and  Bears  in  Wall  Street,” 
“ Mount  Calvary,”  “ Marvels  op  Prayer,”  Etc.,  Etc. 


“ The  race  is  not  forever  got. 

By  him  who  fastest  runs; 

Nor  the  Battel  by  those  peopell, 

That  shoot  with  the  longest  guns.” — Old  Psalmody. 

“ My  father  was  a farmer,  upon  the  Carneck  Border  ; 

And  carefully  he  brought  me  up,  in  decency  and  order  : 

He  bade  me  act  a manly  part,  tho’  I had  ne’er  a farthing. 

For  without  a honest,  manly  heart,  no  man  was  worth  regarding.”— Rwms. 


NEW  YORK  : 

Copyright,  1878,  by 

G,  IV,  Carleton  & Co.,  Publishers, 


LONDON  : S.  LOW  & CO. 
MDCCCLXXVm. 


Samuel  Stoddeb, 
Stereottper, 

90  Ann  Street,  N.  Y. 


Trow 

Printing  and  Book  Binding  Co., 

N.  Y. 


CONTENTS 


SZ  3. 

5 m (e  c 


Bf) 

n 


PAGE 

I.  Lend  me  your  Ears vii 

II.  Who  are  a Success  9 

III.  Sudden  Winning 11 

IV.  Infatuation  of  Money 14 

V.  J.  M.  Beebe’s  Style 18 

VI.  Lawrence  Wins  a Customer 19 

VII.  Civility  in  Trade  . 20 

VIII.  How  some  Men  Rise 21 

IX.  Smart  Conductor  23 

X.  Death  on  the  Pale  Horse 24 

XI.  Webster  Earns  a Quarter 25 

XH.  Hold  my  Horse 26 

%XIH.  Rotten  Inside 27 

XIV.  Diamond  Cut  Diamond 28 

XV.  Grant’s  Dish  Right  Side  Up 29 

XVI.  Whistle  out  of  a Pig’s  Tail 31 

XVH.  Hon.  Russel  Sage 33 

XVHI.  Woman’s  Heroism , 40 

XIX.  Business  Repute 41 

XX.  Nothing  to  Do 42 

XXI.  Sharp  Practice 44 

XXH.  Washington,  the  Boy 47 

XXHI.  Millionaire’s  First  Step 48 

XXIV.  Webster  as  a Boy 49 

XXV.  Webster  and  Ezekiel 51 

XXVI.  Webster  chooses  a Profession 52 

XXVH.  Webster’s  Audacity ; 53 

XXVHI.  Webster  at  the  Bar 54 

XXIX.  Webster’s  Money  Matters 56 

XXX.  Webster’s  Habits 57 

XXXI.  Forces  that  WTn 58 

XXXH.  Start  of  some  Folks - 62 

XXXIH.  Vanderbilt’s  Boyhood 69 

XXXIV.  Vanderbilt’s  Grit 70 

XXXV.  The  Commodore’s  Traits 73 

XXXVI.  Luck  in  Business 75 


[iii] 


IV 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

XXXVII.  Keep  up  the  Stroke 78 

XXXVIII.  Darling  keeps  a Hotel 80 

XXXIX.  Paran  Stevens. 81 

XL.  He  will  Win 82 

XLI.  Accidental  Success 83 

XLH.  Proverbs  of  Trade 93 

XLHI.  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company 99 

XLIV.  Folks  on  the  Pacific  Coast 106 

XLV.  James  Clair  Flood 109 

XL VI.  Isaac  Lankersheim 110 

XLVH.  W.  C.  Ralston 112 

XLVHI.  James  Lick 113 

XLIX.  Leland  Stanford : 114 

L.  Rev.  John  Hemphill 116 

LI.  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Kipp 116 

LH.  Rev.  Isaac  S.  Kallock 118 

LHI.  Hon.  A.  N.  Towne 119 

LIV.,  Rev.  A.  L.  Stone,  D.D 120 

LV.  William  Sharon 121 

LVI.  John  C.  Duncan 122 

LVII.  Peter  Donahue 123 

LVIII.  James  R.  Keene 124 

LIX.  Chief  Justice  Charles  P.  Daly 125 

LX.  Bogardus,  the  Photographer 132 

LXI.  The  House  of  Lawrence 134 

LXH.  Paddle  your  own  Canoe 139 

LXIH.  Edward  Everett 145 

LXIV.  Wilson’s  Struggles 146 

LXV.  John  Quincy  Adams 149 

LXVI.  Harvey  D.  Parker 150 

LXVH.  Anecdotes  of  Eminent  Folks 152 

LXVHI.  The  Bent  of  a Boy 174 

LXIX.  Nelson 182 

LXX.  Stewart’s  Business  Traits 184 

LXXI.  Jay  Gould’s  Boyhood 187 

LXXH.  Theology  as  a Trade 190 

LXXIH.  Jeremiah  Curtis  and  Soothing  Syrup 195 

LXXIV.  Rich,  the  Oysterman 199 

LXXV.  Morrissey’s  Story 201 

LXXVI.  Location  for  Business . 202 

LXXVH.  Romance  of  the  Astors '. . . . 204 

LXXVHI.  James  Harper’s  Set-Out  206 

LXXIX.  Demas  Barnes  rolls  m some  Cotton 208 


CONTENTS.  V 

PAGE 

LXXX.  Morgan  Dix  and  Trinity  Church 211 

LXXXI.  Equitable  Life  Assurance  Society 213 

LXXXII.  Sam  Colt 216 

LXXJnil.  Buying  a Country  Seat 217 

LXXXiy.  House  of  the  Stuarts 218 

LXXXV.  Glamor  of  Public  Life 219 

LXXXVL  Trades  that  Ruin 224 

LXXXVII.  Blur  of  Impertinence 225 

LXXXVIII.  Business  for  Women 228 

LXXXIX.  Detectives  at  Work 231 

XC.  Susan  A.  King 232 

XCI.  W.  A.  Frits 236 

XCII.  Breach  of  Trust 239 

XCIII.  Isaac  Hall,  Iron  Merchant 242 

XCIV.  Powers,  of  the  Grand  Central 245 

XCV.  Wild  Oats  and  their  Harvest 247 

XCVI.  Cheating  the  Dominie 251 

XC VH.  Clerical  Irregularities 252 

XCVHI.  Choate  as  a Lawyer 259 

XCIX.  Flies  in  the  Ointment 264 

C.  Trade  of  Authorship 270 

CL  Claflin  as  a Merchant 271 

CH.  Moses  Taylor — A Steady  Pull 273 

CHI.  Boutwell,  of  the  United  States  Senate 275 

CIV.  Gen.  Grant  at  School 276 

CV.  Muller,  of  Bristol 277 

CVI.  Bryant,  of  the  Post 282 

CVH.  Spurgeon’s  Industry 283 

CVHI.  Young  Stout,  the  Banker 285 

CIX.  House  of  Phelps  & Co 292 

CX.  Rocks  in  the  Channel 295 

CXI.  Prof.  J.  Jay  Watson 299 

CXH.  Childs,  of  the  Philadelphia  Ledger 309 

CXHI.  Victoria  a Business  Woman 312 

CXIV.  Imposture  a Trade 317 

CXV.  Marshall  O.  Roberts 319 

CXVI.  Business  Traits  of  Napoleon  HI. 323 

CXVH.  Prominent  Englishmen 327 

CXVHI.  Baroness  Coutts. . . 331 

CXiX.  Delmonico  333 

CXX.  Perils  of  Avarice 336 

CXXI.  Henry  F Durant.-.. 337 

CXXH.  Dwight  L.  Moody 338 


VI 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

CXXIIL  Gen.  Benjamin  F.  Butler 344 

CXXIV.  James  R.  Kendrick 349 

CXXV.  Beecher’s  Advent  into  Brooklyn i . . 350 

CXXVI.  Humor  of  Sober  Men ' 352 

CXXVII.  Joseph  P.  Hale 368 

CXXVIII.  Rev.  George  G.  Loiimer. 378 

CXXIX.  Alpheus  Hardy ■ 383 

CXXX.  Frederick  Tudor 384 

CXXXI.  Simmons,  of  Oak  Hall  386 

CXXXH.  Rev.  E.  L.  Magoon ’ 388 

CXXXHI.  Edward  A.  Sothern 390 

CXXXIV.  William  J.  Florence 393 

CXXXV.  Lotta 394 

CXXXYI.  Ole  Bull,  Violinist ’. . . . . 396 

CXXXVII.  Rev.  Henry  M.  Scudder 402 

CXXXVHI.  Rev.  T.  He  Witt  Talmage 406 

CXXXIX.  Habits  of  Eminent  Ministers 411 

CXL.  Wheeler  & Wilson  Manufacturing  Company 424 

CXLI.  W.  Jennings  Demorest  and  Mme.  Demorest 427 

CXLII.  Literature  a Business 431 

CXLHI.  Halsey  Wing  Knapp,  D.D 441 

CXLIV.  Forty  Years  of  Mercantile  Life 448 

CXLV.  William  Emerson  Baker 454 

CXLVI.  Mason  & Hamlin  Co 457 

CXLVH.  Charles  J.  Cragin 460 

CXLVIII.  Rufus  S.  Frost 461 

CXLIX.  Boston  Christian  Union 463 

CL.  Dexter  Smith 466 

CLI.  John  M.  Crane 468 

CLH.  The  House  of  Hook  & Co 471 

CLIII.  Alvin  Adams 473 

CLIY.  Oregonia — Outlook  of  the  State 479 

CLY.  Boston  takes  a Hand 480 

CLYI.  City  of  Portland 481 

CLYH.  Government  of  Oregon 482 

CLVIII.  Hon.  Henry  Y/.  Corbit 483 

CLIX.  Bishop  Morris 484 

CLX.  Ben  Ilolladay 484 

CLXI.  Religion  in  Oregon 485 

CLXII.  S.  G.  Reed 485 

CLXHI.  James  W.  Ranney 486 

CLXIV.  James  Gordon  Bennett 489 

CLXV.  Mercantile  Outlook , 496 


I. 


LEND  ME  YOUR  EARS. 

HAVE  chosen  the  style  of  anecdotal  bio- 
graphy, which  Macaulay  affirms  is  the  true 
form  of  history — enforcing  practical  lessons 
by  illustration  and  incidents,  rather  than  by 
reasoning.  I present  the  inside  life  of  marked  men 
that  bears  on  their  success.  Incidents  in  the  life  of 
over  five  hundred  eminent  men,  of  all  nationalities, 
illustrate  the  methods  of  winning.  I have  little  to  do 
with  the  fathers  or  grandfathers  of  successful  people. 
I take  famous  folks  as  I find  them,  and  show  how  they 
became  so.  From  my  standpoint  men  who  fail  have  a 
successful  side  that  is  worth  looking  at.  Much  of  my 
material  has  come  from  original  sources.  I have  aimed 
to  make  a book,  readable,  racy,  entertaining  and  of 
permanent  value  to  young  men  who  desire  to  win.  I 
have  not  exhausted  the  role  of  successful  people. 
Those  I describe  are  only  selections  or  samples.  A 
spoonful  of  wheat  is  as  good  as  a carload ; an  ounce  of 
flour,  for  body  and  whiteness,  to  a grain  broker,  is  as 
good  as  a barrel ; a thin  slice  from  a quarter  indicates 
the  character  of  the  meat. 


[vii] 


SUCCESSFUL 


FOLKS 


HOW  THEY  WIN. 

( 


II. 


WHO  AKE  A SUCCESS? 


lEN  are  a success  who  win.  Those  who  make 
fortunes  by  trade ; who  become  eminent  in 
the  law  ; are  star  preachers  ; earn  repute  as 
surgeons  ; are  celebrated  as  architects  and 
artisans — are  a success.  Prosperity  need  not  be  con- 
tinuous. Men,  in  the  struggle  for  fame  and  fortune, 
often  exhibit  a vigor,  persistency,  prudence  and  integ- 
rity, that  desert  them  when  they  get  money.  A man 
may  be  a model  in  one  direction,  and  a failure  in 
another.  His  defeat  may  be  as  instructive  as  his  vic- 
tory. The  history  of  trade  shows  that  failure  is  the 
rule,  and  winning  the  exception.  One  can  count  on 
ten  fingers  the  mercantile  houses  of  any  great  city  that 
have  had  continued  success  for  quarter  of  a century. 
Boston  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous  and  prudent  of 
commercial  towns  ; yet  her  record  is  significant.  Out 
of  100  firms  on  Long  Wharf,  in  40  years,  only  5 es- 
caped failure.  Out  of  1000  accounts  in  a leading  bank, 
in  40  years,  but  6 remained  good.  In  the  probate 
court,  for  the  same  period,  out  of  100  estates  90  were 
insolvent.  In  a half  century,  only  3 mercantile  houses 

[9] 


10 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


out  of  100  acquired  independence.  Should  95  percent, 
of  our  crops  fail ; 95  per  cent,  of  our  ships  go  to  the 
bottom  ; 95  per  cent,  of  our  warehouses  topple  down, 
society,  in  alarm,  would  soon  know  the  cause. 

Men  spend  years  in  making  money,  and  scatter  it 
in  as  many  months.  Property  seldom  goes  to  the 
third  generation.  The  sons  of  rich  men  are  not  the 
rich  men  of  to-day.  Few  of  our  prosperous  men  in- 
herited their  business  from  their  fathers.  The  sons  of 
porters  or  coal-heavers  jostle  the  pampered  sons  of  rich 
men  off  the  course,  and  take  the  money  and  take  the 
trade.  The  men  who  go  under  were  a success  in  their 
day,  and  their  early  winnings  were  worth  studying. 
An  ocean  steamer  maj^  make  the  quickest  voyage  on 
record.  She  is  a success,  though  she  rolls  her  mast 
overboard  on  the  next  voyage,  and  founders.  The 
gamey  horse  may  win  in  one  trot,  and  in  the  next 
break  a leg  or  dislocate  a limb.  A man  on  a wager 
may  climb  by  the  lightning  rod  to  the  cross  on  old 
Trinity,  tie  wins.  On  the  ball  he  cuts  up  antics  and 
comes  to  the  pavement. 

The  Law  of  Success  is  as  certain  as  the  law  of  the 
seasons,  and  the  law  of  tides.  All  must  obey  these  laws 
if  they  would  prosper.  A desire  to  win, — integrity, 
honor,  and  piety,  do  not  save  a man  from  disasters,  if 
he  fails  to  observe  the  law  of  success.  Good  inten- 
tions will  not  help  a man  on  his  way,  if  he  takes  the 
wrong  road.  A pious  man  on  an  errand  of  mercy,  if 
he  mistakes  a precipice  for  a highway,  will  iDrobably 
break  his  neck.  A mother  who  administers  iDoison  to 
her  child  at  night,  mistaking  it  for  medicine,  will  find, 
when  it  is  too  late,  that  mateiaial  love  cannot  atone  for 
carelessness.  The  boy  wlio  shot  his  brother,  mistak- 
ing him  for  a black  bear,  killed  him  as  really  as  if  he 
had  intended  to  take  his  life.  No  two  men  apply 
these  laws  of  trade  in  the  same  manner.  Stewart’s 


SUDDEN  WINNING. 


11 


metliods  would  ruin  forty-nine  men  out  of  fifty. 
Through  all  Stewart’s  mercantile  career  there  run  cer- 
tain golden  threads,  indispensable  to  success.  Not 
one  stock-broker  in  one  hundred  could  handle  • Van- 
derbilt’s combinations.  But  the  old  commodore  had 
to  obey  the  law  of  success  like  common  mortals.  Men 
are  often  ruined  by  attempting  to  imitate  prosperous 
traders  ; as  ministers  are  laughed  at  for  putting  on  the 
airs  of  star  preachers.  One  man  starts  out^^wi^h  money, 
inherits  a good  name,  begins  with  a fine  business,  and 
takes  the  road  to  failure  at  the  start.  Another  has  no 
money,  no  friends  to  back  him,  his  surroundings  are 
adverse,  yet  with  the  first  step  he  moves  on  to  fortune. 
A pechanic  with  a hand-saw,  a jack-plane,  and  a ham- 
mer, will  do  a better  job  than  some  men  would  do  with 
a chest  of  tools.  Enterprising,  resolute,  intelligent 
persons,  out  of  fragments  and  bits  of  opportunities, 
will  make  a fortune,  as  the  apprentice  made  the 
famous  cathedral  window,  out  of  bits  of  glass  and 
refuse  material  his  master  had  filing  away. 


III. 

SUDDEN  WINNING. 

OBTUNES  suddenly  made  are  suddenly  lost. 
Many  fortunate  men  are  more  of  a warning 
til  an  a guide.  Money  wrongfully  acquired, 
though  kept,  often  has  a curse  in  it.  Men 
who  can  draw  their  check  for  fifty  thousand  dollars 
cannot  enter  society,  and  the  doors  are  barred  against 
their  children. 


12 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Townsend  made  himself  famous  by  his  sarsapa- 
rilla. His  mother  gave  him  an  old  receipt  and  out  of  it 
he  made  a fortune.  His  labratory  was  a small  room  in 
a tenement  house.  He  was  his  own  porter,  salesman 
and  chemist.  He  advertised  largely,  and  made  his 
compound  famous  in  all  the  land.  He  was  keen,  cool, 
sagacious.  In  time  he  placed  himself  among  the  mag- 
nates on  Fifth  Avenue.  His  good  judgment  forsook 
him  when  he  became  rich.  He  ran  into  all  sorts  of 
financial  vagaries.  His  gaudy  mansion  was  known  as 
‘‘  Townsend’s  folly.”  His  investments  were  as  bad  as 
bad  could  be.  As  a moneyed  man  he  soon  passed  out 
of  sight. 

Horace  H.  Day  was  at  one  time  very  famous. 
He  had  more  law-suits  on  hand  than  any  man  in 
America.  Goodyear  sold  him  a license.  As  Day  inter- 
preted it,  it  was  of  immense  value.  A powerful  corpo- 
ration tried  to  take  it  away.  Day  fought  like  a tiger. 
He  defended  his  claims  with  a jfiuck  and  ability  that 
commended  universal  admiration.  He  made  his  foes 
answer  in  every  State  in  the  Union.  A decision  won 
in  Baltimore  enabled  him  to  dictate  terms.  Day  went 
out  of  the  struggle  with  a half  a million  of  money. 
Then  his  folly  began.  He  tied  up  his  wealth  in  all 
sorts  of  ways.  His  lawyers  could  not  find  investments 
bad  enough  for  him,  so  he  summoned  Webster  and 
Clay  from  the  grave.  These  eminent  men,  when  alive, 
were  very  poor  financiers.  Judging  from  the  nature  of 
these  investments,  these  men  had  not  improved  in 
these  matters  since  their  translation.  From  an  elegant 
mansion  in  upper  New  York,  Mr.  Day  moved  to  a 
-tenement  house  on  Tenth  Avenue. 

P.  T.  Barnum  wrote  a book  to  show  young  men 
how  to  make  money.  He  could  write  a better  one  to 


SUDDEN  WINNING. 


13 


show  them  how  to  fool  it  away.  Should  a young  man 
start  out  on  Barnum’s  plan,  the  chances  are  ten  to  one 
that  he  would  bring  up  behind  the  bars  of  a prison. 
Barnum’s  key-note  was  bad.  With  him  success  was 
getting  money.  In  the  race  for  gold,  anything  was 
lawful  that  was  not  criminal.  Humbug,  tricks,  deceit, 
low  cunning,  false  stories,  were  stock  in  trade.  After 
repeated  failures  he  wrote  himself  down  a rich  man. 
The  next  thing  was  the  entree  of  society.  This  was  not 
hard  to  get  when  a man  has  money.  The  doors  of 
fashionable  life  often  swing  bacl^^xm  golden  hinges.  In 
a fatal  hour  he  resolved  to  write  his  life.  He  did  for 
himself  what  his  worst  enemy  could  not  have  done  for 
him.  He  made  a clean  breast  of  his  methods,  and  told 
the  world  how  he  made  money.  He  lifted  the  curtain 
and  asked  the  public  to  see  how  he  did  his  little  tricks. 
He  showed  the  ];)ulleys,  the  ropes,  the  trap-doors,  and 
the  machinery  by  wdiich  he  had  amused  himself  and 
duped  others.  He  talked  about  the  woolly  horse, 
Joyce  Heth,  Washington’s  nurse,  and  the  mermaids. 
The  public  did  not  enjoy  it.  It  was  bad  enough  to  be 
humbugged— quite  too  bad  to  be  laughed  at.  Society 
closed  its  doors  on  the  new-comer,  and  the  showman 
went  back  to  the  circus. 

Helmbold  led  all  the  patent  medicine  men  in  the 
land.  His  career  w^as  a sensation.  Everything  was  an 
advertisement.  His  fine  drug-store,  his  four-in-hand, 
his  burly  negro  driver  all  made  him  famous.  His 
name  was  on  all  lips.  He  had  his  day,  as  do  all  auda- 
cious men.  He  made  a short  turn  in  the  road  and  was 
seen  no  more. 

Clews  was  an  eminent  banker.  He  worked  his 
way  up  from  a subordinate  position  in  a dry-goods 
house,  and  won  both  fame  and  fortune.  He  had  ex- 


14 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


cellent  business  gifts,  and  won  the  confidence  of 
moneyed  men  by  his  judicious  investments.  Had  he 
remained  a banker  as  he  began  and  let  speculations 
alone,  his  fortune  would  have  remained  with  him. 
When  the  panic  came  he  had  six  millions  of  assets. 
He  was  advised  to  fling  them  on  the  market  and  realize. 
Had  he  lost  half  of  his  fortune,  with  his  three  millions 
he  would  have  weathered  the  storm,  and  been  the  lead- 
ing financier  of  New  York.  He  had  not  courage  to’ 
make  the  sacrifice,  so  he  lost  all. 

The  Street  has  always  a king.  He  struts  his  brief 
hour,  is  dethroned,  and  another  reigns  in  his  stead. 
The  infatuation  of  stock  speculation  is  so  potent  that 
men  allow  a fortune  to  be  swallowed  up  before  their 
eyes.  Hostlers  and  horsemen  ; ticket-takers  and  boat- 
men ; grocers  and  speculators ; farmers  and  gamblers, 
have  in  their  turn,  led  the  street.  Each  in  their  turn 
have  been  swallowed  up  in  the  great  maelstrom. 


IV. 

INFATUATION  OF  MONEY. 

“ I’m  a dealer  in  stocks  and  in  gold  and  such  like 
Said  a stranger,  ‘ ‘ and  sometimes  I make  a bad  strike  ; 

I am  anxious  to  know  some  infallible  rule, 

To  decide  when  I should  be  a bear  or  a bull.” 

HE  Bible  points  out  the  infatuation  of 
gain  as  the  great  peril  of  men.  That 
peril  is  set  forth  in  this  graphic  language  : 
— They  that  will  be  rich  fall  into  tempta- 
tion and  a snare,  and  into  many  foolish  and  hurtful 


INFATUATION  OF  MONEY. 


15 


lusts,  which  drown  men  in  destruction  and  perdition. 
For  the  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil ; which 
while  some  coveted  after  they  have  erred  from' the 
faith  and  pierced  themselves  through  with  many  sor- 
rows.” A passion  for  gain  is  almost  universal.  With 
a travesty  on  the  Bihle^  men  say: — ‘‘Get  gold,  get 
silver,  in  all  they  gettings  get  gain.  Hold  it  fast.  Let 
it  not  go.  Retain  it,  for  it  is  thy  life.”  The  infatua- 
tion of  money  is  graphically  set  forth  by  the  poet. 

“Gold,  Gold,  Gol(LTrold. 

Bright  and  yellow,  hard  and  cold ; 

Molten,  graven,  hammered  and  rolled; 

Hard  to  get,  and  light  to  hold; 

Hoarded  and  bartered,  bought  and  sold ; 

Stolen,  squandered,  borrowed  and  doled; 

Spurned  by  the  young,  and  hugged  by  the  old, 

To  the  very  verge  of  the  church -yard  mold; 

The  price  of  many  a crime  untold. 

Gold,  Gold,  Gold,  Gold.” 

The  great  temptation  that  besets  young  business 
men  is  the  love  of  gain.  They  see  with  their  own  eyes 
what  money  can  do.  It  gives  men  a solid  standing  in 
society.  Men  of  money  have  a potential  voice  on 
’change.  Money  builds  costly  palaces,  with  servants, 
statuary,  paintings,  elegant  turnouts  and  display. 
Some  of  these  moneyed  men  dug  gravel,  wheeled  coals, 
were  tide-waiters  and  stevedores,  beat  out  iron  on  an 
anvil,  peddled  milk,  ran  gin-mills  and  kept  corner 
groceries,  run  with  the  machine  and  slept  on  bulk- 
heads. But  for  money  they  would  have  no  position 
to-day.  Some  of  these  splendidly-dressed  women  who 
loll  in  their  carriages  and  throw  dust  in  the  face  of 
honest  toil,  once  took  in  washing,  scrubbed  offices, 
walked  the  streets  all  night  because  they  couldn’ t pay 
for  a bed,  kept  shilling  lodgers,  and  except  in  the  mat- 
ter of  wealth,  are  the  same  women  still. 


16 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Money  is  king, — not  bayonets,  nor  troops.  Doub- 
loons in  the  cellar  of  Frederick  the  Great  had  quite  as 
much  to  do  with  his  victories  as  his  tall  grenadiers  and 
his  famous  generals. 

“Who  hold  balance  of  the  world  ? Who  reiga 
O’er  conquerors,  whether  Royal  or  Liberal  ? 

Who  rouse  the  stubborn  patriots  of  Spain, 

That  make  old  Europe’s  journals  squeak  and  jibberal  ? 
Who  keep  the  world,  both  old  and  new,  in  pain, 

Or  pleasure  ? Who  make  politics  run  glibberal  ? 

The  shades  of  Bonaparte’s  noble  daring  ? 

Jew  Rothschild,  and  his  fellow  Christian,  Baring.” 

Wall  Street  rules  America  as  Lombard  Street  rules 
England.  Money  moves  the  crops  that  make  the  great 
West  the  granary  of  the  world.  It  builds  railroads, 
endows  colleges,  erects  theological  seminaries,  builds 
costly  churches,  and  pays  star  preachers.  Vile  men, 
because  they  are  rich,  fill  important  ofiices.  Men  of 
base  lives,  and  dissolute  conduct,  are  regarded  as  fit 
company  for  delicate  maidens  because  their  bank  ac- 
count is  large. 

The  bad  influence  of  the  infatuation  of  gain  comes 
out  in  the  selection  of  a calling.  Young  men  see  what 
money  can  do,  and  they  start  out  to  get  it.  Their  aim 
is  not  business,  reputation,  character,  and  a fortune  by 
and  by,  but  their  point  is  money,  and  money  in  hand. 
They  have  a fortune  to  make,  and  must  be  about 
it.  Good  places  are  scarce,  and  men  in  paying  places 
seldom  resign,  and  few  die.  Banks  are  full.  Insur- 
ance companies  are  filled  with  relatives.  An  eligible 
position  pays  small  at  the  start,  if  it  does  not  demand 
payment  for  a green  hand  to  enter  into  the  service. 
Few  young  men  are  willing  to  take  what  they  can  get, 
and  trust  to  the  future.  They  want  wages.  If  repu- 
table employment  will  not  furnish  this,  a bad  trade 


INFATUATION  OF  MONEY. 


17 


will.  ‘ ‘ I don’ t like  this  work  ’ ’ a young  man  says,  ‘ ‘ but 
I must  take  what  I can  get.”  The  work  will  stick  to 
him,  for  he  that  ‘‘  touches  pitch  Avill  be  defiled.”  Mr. 
Odell  had  a great  number  of  young  men  in  his  school. 
A foreign  rum-seller  who  sold  liquor  on  Sundays  ap- 
plied to  Mr.  Odell  for  a good  boy  to  keep  the  bar. 
“But  my  boys  are  Sunday-school  boys.”  “I  knows 
dat,  I vants  a Sunday-school  boy.  He  von’t  drink  up 
de  liquors  nor  steal  de  moneys.”  However  humble  a 
calling  may  be,  if  it  is  an  honest  one,  a man  may  make 
a success  of  it.  The  largest  periodi;CaFdealer  in  New 
York,  who  is  a millionaire,  began  life  a penniless  boy 
selling  his  papers  in  rain  and  in  storm.  The  head  of  a 
heavy  paper-house  in  New  York  began  life  by  picking 
and  assorting  rags.  A wealthy  merchant  wore  the  red 
shirt  and  ran  with  a machine  for  several  years.  A well 
known  philanthropist  laid  the  foundation  of  his  great 
wealth  by  picking  up  the  hoofs  and  bones  of  horses, 
out  of  which  he  made  a sux:)erior  article  of  glue.  A 
wealthy  banker,  when  a boy,  sought  a place.  The  first 
order  given  to  him  was  to  black  a pair  of  boots.  “You 
have  given  them  a good  shine.”  “ My  mother  told  me 
to  do  everything  well,”  said  the  lad.  The  boy  is  now 
a well  known  banker,  and  the  man  whose  boots  he 
blacked  lives  in  a tenement  house.  A man  who  has  a 
good  trade  and  brings  to  it  brains  and  diligence,  and 
can  aft’ord  to  wait,  will  be  a success. 

2 


18 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Y. 

J.  M.  BEBEE’S  STYLE. 

AMES  M.  BEBEE  was  one  of  the  solid  men  of 
Boston.  At  the  start  he  was  a small  trader. 
He  worked  his  way  ux)  till  he  became  a mer- 
chant prince.  His  style  was  peculiar:  he 
was  iinimpassioned — gentle  in  his  manners--spoke  soft 
and  low — and  seemed  to  be  taking  every  one  into  his 
confidence.  He  was  as  bland  and  conciliatory  to  a 
woman  buying  a paper  of  jpins,  as  he  was  to  a proud 
lady  bargaining  for  a satin  dress.  He  was  a gentleman 
to  every  one,  from  the  porter  to  the  head  clerk.  He 
seldom  gave  a command.  He  usually  requested  that  a 
thing  might  be  done.  It  was  not  safe  for  an  emyloyee 
to  neglect  that  request.  One  day  a Western  trader 
came  into  the  store  and  demanded  to  see  Mr.  Bebee. 
He  was  under  great  excitement,  evidently  expected  to 
produce  a sensation,  and  was  x)rex)ared  for  the  worst. 
The  little  tra^D-door  was  thrown  open,  and  the  merchant 
looked  iileasantly  down  on  his  irate  visitor,  and  asked 
him  what  he  wanted.  This  cool  iiroceeding  did  not 
mend  matters.  “ I have  been  greatly  misused  in  this 
house,  sir.  I xmrchased  a bill  of  goods,  and  when  they 
reached  me  at  tlie  West,  they  were  not  the  goods  I 
purchased.”  A tap  of  the  bell  brought  up  the  culx)rit 
who  sold  the  goods,  and  he  was  asked  to  exjdain. 
“Nearly  all  the  line  was  the  one  purchased  that  run 
out,  a better  class  was  put  in  at  the  same  price  to  fill 
up  the  order,  and  that  was  all  there  was  about  it.” 
This  sensible  statement  only  made  the  man  more  mad. 
He  saw  he  was  doubly  in  the  wrong  and  was  getting 
the  worst  of  it  at  every  move.  “I  don’t  care  about  a 


LAWRENCE  WIN8  A CUSTOMER. 


19 


better  style — I want  the  goods  I buy.  I don’t  thank 
any  one  to  change  my  order.”  The  merchant  took  the 
man  in  hand,  and  gave  him  all  the  line  he  wanted. 
“Yon  are  quite  right,  sir.  The  salesman  should  not 
have  sent  you  anything  you  did  not  order.  Send  back 
the  goods,  we  will  pay  the  expenses  and  make  good 
your  loss.”  “You  can’t  make  good  my  loss  ; I have 
lost  the  sales  ; the  season  is  gone  for  the  styles  that  I 
wanted.”  “Don’t  you  think  we  can  approximate 
towards  the  damages?”  said  the  bland  merchant. 
“ You  can’t  have  lost  more  than  ydur^ whole  season, 
and  this  store  is  good  for  a million.”  “Oh  ! well,  if 
you  can  be  a gentleman,  I can  be  a gentleman  too. 
Show  us  what  you  have  got.” 


YI. 

LAWRENCE  WINS  A CUSTOMER. 

BBOTT  LAWRENCE  was  a princely  mer- 
chant. He  was  courteous  and  lordly  to  his 
customers.  He  exhibited  his  goods  as  if  he 
were  doing  a personal  favor.  He  was  liberal 
in  his  style  of  doing  things,  throwing  in  the  odd 
quarter  of  a yard  of  cloth,  and  the  odd  shilling  in 
change.  When  he  gained  a customer  he  kept  him. 
The  house  of  the  Lawrences  held  a monoi)oly  of  heavy 
beavers  and  wide  broadcloths.  A country  trader 
bought  a few  yards  of  cloth  at  ten  dollars  a yard.  On 
measuring  the  goods  at  home  they  ran  short  a quarter 
of  a yard.  The  trader  wms  almost  afraid  to  speak  of 


20 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


SO  small  a matter  to  so  courtly  a merchant.  On  his 
next  visit  to  Boston,  he  plucked  up  courage  enough  to 
say:  ‘‘Mr.  Lawrence,  when  I was  here  a few  months 
ago,  I bought  a few  yards  of  hue  broadcloth.”  “Yes, 
at  ten  dollars  a yard.”  “According  to  my  measure- 
ment it  fell  short  a quarter.”  “ Fell  short  a quarter  ? 
That  will  never  do  ; it  should  have  overrun  a quarter.” 
Turning  to  his  bookkeei)er,  he  said  : “Credit  this  gen- 
tleman with  half  a yard  of  our  best  broadcloth.”  That 
customer  was  nailed  for  life. 


VIL 

CIVILITY  IN  TRADE. 

NDREW  Y.  STOUT  is  president  of  the  New 
York  Shoe  and  Leather  Bank.  As  a lad  he 
had  a good  education,  and  started  business 
as  a school  teacher.  He  went  into  trade. 
After  several  reverses  he  made  a fortune.  He  has  no 
equal  among  bankers  for  integrity  and  good  judgment. 
His  urbanity  and  courtesy  have  been  winning  cards. 
He  is  accessible  to  all  comers.  He  is  never  so  busy 
but  he  has  time  to  say  : “ Sit  down,  sir  ; I will  be  at 
leisure  in  a moment.”  A well-known  merchant  came 
to  the  bank  to  open  an  account.  He  handed  in  a heavy 
certificate  of  deposit.  “You  may  like  to  know,  Mr. 
President,  why  I open  an  account  with  your  bank.” 
“ I suppose  you  think  your  money  will  be  safe.”  “It 
was  safe  enough  in  the  other  bank.  No  ; I came  here 
because  you  are  civil.  I went  into  my  old  bank  this 


now  SOME  MEN  RISE. 


21 


morning,  and  accidentally  laid  my  hat  on  the  cashier’s 
desk.  He  looked  at  me  with  the  air  of  fifty  millions, 
and  said,  ‘ Take  your  hat  off  from  my  desk,  sir.  Now 
I will  hear  you.’  ‘ I want  nothing  to  do  with  you,’  I 
replied.  I went  to  the  bookkeeper  and  ordered  him  to 
make  up  my  account.  I will  never  cross  the  threshold 
of  that  institution  again  while  that  impertinent  cashier 
holds  his  position.” 


VIII. 

HOW  SOME  MEN  EISE. 

YOUNG-  MAN  was  promoted  to  the  position 
of  cashier  over  the  heads  of  a score  of  asso- 
ciates. He  was  capable,  energetic  and  civil. 
He  entered  the  bank  as  a subordinate,  and 
rose  rapidly.  He  was  always  at  his  place  ; did  his  own 
work,  and  often  the  work  of  others.  He  came  first  in 
the  morning,  and  left  last  at  night.  He  assisted  the 
clerks  who  were  behind  in  their  work,  or  who  wanted 
go  away.  He  studied  the  comfort  of  the  public  and 
was  very  popular.  He  became  paying  teller.  As  three 
o’clock  approached  men  rushed  in  to  draw  their  money. 
He  would  say,  ‘‘  Don’t  crowd,  gentlemen,  don’t  crowd  ; 
you  shall  have  plenty  of  time.”  When  a discount 
was  denied,  or  was  less  than  a customer  asked  for,  the 
young  teller  was  chosen  to  break  the  intelligence. 
Men  would  take  a refusal  from  him  with  a better  grace 
than  a favor  from  some  others.  On  the  morning  of 
the  election  he  had  no  more  idea  of  being  cashier  than 
he  had  of  being  president. 


22 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


!V  In  one  of  the  large  hotels  a Room  Clerk  has  an 
’ extraordinary  salary.  He  is  bland,  attentive,  and  cor- 
dial. He  can  stow  away  more  people  in  the  nooks, 
crannies,  and  corners  of  the  house  and  make  them  feel 
comfortable,  than  any  living  man.  He  came  down  one 
morning  and  found  a well-known  customer  pacing  the 
office  in  evident  temper.  To  his  cheery  good  morning 
the  clerk  received  a gruff  reply.  /‘When  did  you 
come  in?”  “Last  night.”  “I  hope  you  have  a good 
room.”  “I  have  not.  They  sent  me  up  to  thunder, 
and  there  is  not  room  in  my  quarters  to  swing  a cat.” 
“Oh!  that  stupid  night-clerk  did  not  know  you 
brought  your  cat  with  you.  I’ll  manage  it  after  break- 
fast. You  shall  have  a room  big  enough  to  swing  a 
half  a dozen  cats.”  With  a hearty  laugh  the  customer 
turned  off  to  breakfast. 

At  the  Cashier’s  desk  in  a large  restaurant  near 
the  City  Hall,  a young  man  can  be  seen  day  after  day 
in  his  place.  He  is  quiet,  prompt,  and  gentlemanly. 
He  has  no  words  for  anyone  outside  of  his  business. 
Everyone  is  treated  with  perfect  civility.  He  was  a 
hall- boy  at  the  start,  and  did  his  work  willingly  and 
cheerfully.  He  was  put  at  the  oyster  stand  and  won 
custom.  The  best  patrons  of  the  house  wanted  to  be 
served  by  the  cheery  lad.  By  sturdy  persistency  he 
worked  his  way  up  to  his  present  responsible  and  pro- 
fi  table  position.  Everywhere  politeness  is  at  a pre- 
mium. Ladies  who  order  a coach  call  for  a driver  who 
is  civil.  Families  take  a train  because  the  conductor 
is  good-natured.  Men  stand  in  rows  at  an  eating- 
house,  and  wait  to  be  served  by  a favorite  waiter. 
Some  traders  are  so  crusty  that  customers  will  not  buy 
of  them.  A cheery  face  and  a civil  tongue  go  a long 
way  towards  helping  one  on  the  road  to  fortune. 


SMART  CONDUCTOR. 


23 


If  a man  is  not  sound  and  true,  Ms  exposure  is  only 
a question  of  time.  A young  man  held  a position  of 
great  importance  in  the  city  of  New  York.  He  was  an 
elegant  fellow  and  an  earnest  worker  in  the  Sunday- 
school.  He  built  a handsome  Sunday-school  building 
and  presented  it  to  the  church  of  which  he  was  a mem- 
ber. He  adorned  it  with  all  modern  improvements  and 
with  every  luxury.  He  lived  in  line  style,  and  it  was 
said  he  could  afford  it.  His  salary  was  large,  but  was 
not  sufficient  for  his  outgoes.  He  betrayed  his  trust, 
used  his  office  for  personal  ends,  lofi^  blackmail,  is 
under  indictment,  and  will  either  ffee  the  country,  or 
wear  the  garb  of  a State’s  prison  convict.  Another 
young  man  was  a great  worker  in  Christian  associa- 
tions. He  was  connected  with  a great  cash  company, 
and  his  repute  was  unquestionable.  With  all  his  loud 
professions  he  was  an  embezzler,  and  was  arrested 
while  a delegate  to  a national  convention. 


IX. 

SMART  CONDUCTOR. 

RASTUS  CORNINO  was  president  of  the 
Central  Railroad.  He  was  a lame  man,  and 
not  very  prepossessing  in  looks.  He  stood 
one  day  on  the  platform,  and  was  about 
to  step  onto  the  cars.  A conductor  who  did  not  know 
him,  shouted:  ‘WV^me,  hurry  uj)  old  man;  don’t  be 
all  day  about  it,  the  train  can’t  wait.”  The  con- 
ductor went  round  to  take  up  the  tickets.  A passenger 
said  to  him  : ‘‘Do  you  know  the  gentleman  you  ordered 


24 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


on  board?”  ‘‘JSTo,  and  I don’t  want  to  know  him.” 
‘‘It  may  be  worth  your  while  to  make  his  acquain- 
tance. He  is  your  boss,  the  president  of  the  road,  and 
he’ll  take  your  head  off.”  The  conductor  gave  a low 
whistle,  and  looked  as  if  he'd  think  about  it.  He  put 
a bold  face  on  the  matter,  sought  out  the  president, 
and  offered  an  apology.  “Personally  I care  nothing 
about  it,”  said  Mr.  Corning.  “ If  you  had  been  so 
rude  to  anj  one  else,  I would  have  discharged  you  on 
the  spot,”  he  continued.  “You  saw  that  I was 
lame,  and  that  I moved  with  great  difficulty.  The  fact 
that  you  did  not  know  who  I was,  does  not  alter  the 
complexion  of  your  act.  I’ll  keep  no  one  in  my  em- 
ploy who  is  uncivil  to  travelers.” 


X. 


DEATH  OX  THE  PALE  HORSE. 


HAXCELLOR  WALWORTH  held  private 
court  at  the  Sjjrings.  He  was  not  a stylish 
liver,  but  moved  about  Saratoga  without  os- 
tentation. A young  lawyer,  who  was  sitting 
on  the  piazza,  had  a motion  before  the  court  at  the  hour 
of  noon.  An  old  man  on  a bony  white  steed  rode  up 
to  the  hotel,  suggesting,  as  the  lawyer  said,  “Death  on 
the  pale  horse.”  The  young  counselor  was  ripe  for 
fun.  He  walked  down  to  the  curbstone,  and  opened  a 
conversation  with  the  old  gentleman  ; asked  the  j)rice 
of  the  horse,  his  si)eed,  his  age,  and  his  record,  and 
made  himself  quite  entertaining.  A friend  said  as  he 


WEBSTER  EARNS  A QUARTER. 


25 


came  back,  “I  thought  you  did  not  know  Chancellor 
Walworth  “ISTever  saw  him  in  my  life.”  “ That’s 
a pretty  story.  You  have  been  talking  and  laughing 
with  him  for  a half  an  hour.”  “Then  I’ve  ruined  my 
case.  My  motion  is  an  important  one,  and  I dare  not 
look  the  judge  in  the  face.”  He  got  some  one  to  ap- 
pear for  him,  and  learned  that  civility,  at  a venture, 
never  misses  its  mark. 


XI. 

WEBSTER  EARNS  A QUARTER. 

EBSTER  loved  to  be  known  as  the  “Far- 
mer of  Marshheld.”  His  farm  dress  was  a 
slouched  hat,  a blue  blouse,  with  pants 
tucked  into  his  boots.  He  was  more  at  ease 
in  the  woods  with  a hatchet  in  his  hand,  than  in  the 
Senate,  or  in  the  saloons  of  fashion.  The  Webster 
mansion  was  not  easy  to  find.  A Washington  official 
attempted  to  reach  it  “across  lots.”  He  came  to  a 
stream,  and  ojDened  conversation  with  a woodsman,  who 
was  cutting  brush.  “Is  Mr.  Webster  at  home?” 
“He  is.”  “ How  can  I cross  the  brook?”  “Jump, 
or  wade.”  “ Here,  old  fellow.  I’ll  give  you  a quarter 
to  carry  me  over.”  The  woodsman  took  the  stripling 
on  his  brawny  shoulders — landed  him  safely — declined 
the  fee — pointed  out  the  road  to  the  mansion,  and 
soon  followed.  He  met  the  young  official  at  the  library 
door — transacted  the  business  without  a change  of 
dress — the  visitor  at  his  ease — and  drove  him  to 
the  station  in  his  own  carriage. 


26 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS, 


XII. 

HOLD  MY  HOUSE. 

OV.  FRANCIS  of  Rhode  Island  was  a farmer. 
His  salary  was  less  than  a thousand  dollars 
a year.  This  did  not  justify  much  style. 
The  Governor  carried  on  the  farm,  and  his 
wife — after  the  order  of  New  England  women — did  her 
own  housework.  A young  man,  aid  to  a Governor, 
rode  up  to  the  mansion  and  asked  an  old  man  digging 
post-holes  to  hold  his  horse.  The  aid  went  to  the 
front  door,  and  made  his  presence  known  by  a severe 
rapping.  The  mistress  of  the  house,  direct  from  her 
kneading  trough,  answered  the  door  and  invited  the 
caller  in.  The  Governor  was  in,  and  she  would  sum- 
mon him.”  But  he  was  not  to  be  found.  The  peculiar 
halloo  towards  the  barn  elicited  no  response.  He  was 
not  at  the  side  door,  nor  in  the  field.  The  coat  hang- 
ing behind  the  door  indicated  that  the  Governor  was 
not  far  away.  The  lady  at  length  looked  towards  the 
carriage — gave  a slight  scream — exclaiming  : ‘ ‘ La  ! a 
mercy  ! there’s  the  Governor  holding  your  horse.” 
The  abashed  messenger  transacted  his  business  and  de- 
parted, fully  satisfied  that  ’tis  not  always  safe  to  judge 
by  appearances. 


BOTTEN  INSIDE, 


27 


XIIL 

EOTTEX  INSIDE. 

0 banking  bouse  seemed  to  stand  firmer  than 
that  of  which  W.  Butler  Duncan  was  the 
head.  He  inherited  a bu^inhss,  had  a large 
cash  capital  to  start  with,  and  exhibited  real 
estate  amounting  to  over  a million.  The  Hothschilds 
were  his  correspondents,  and  his  letters  of  credit  were 
good  round  the  globe.  Men  pressed  their  money  on 
him  for  safe  keeping.  Widows  and  orphans  w^ere  con- 
gratulated that  their  little  property  was  in  such  hands. 
It  was  a fool’s  trade  when  all  this  was  bartered  for 
wild  speculation.  This  seemingly  safe  house  rested 
on  a sandy  foundation,  and  its  ruin  was  only  a ques- 
tion of  time.  It  paid  six  per  cent,  for  deposits,  while 
sound  houses  paid  but  four.  It  professed  to  be  doing 
a purely  legitimate  banking  business,  while  it  was  chin 
deep  in  all  sorts  of  financial  vagaries.  The  real  estate 
securities  belonged  to  others.  In  the  midst  of  all  this 
seeming  prosperity,  the  firm  was  like  a granite  block 
erected  in  Boston.  The  builder  said  it  would  stand  if 
filled  with  pig  lead.  It  came  down  with  the  first  stock 
of  goods,  for  its  foundations  were  rotten. 


28 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


XIY. 

DIAMOND  CUT  DIAMOND. 

ANY  people  live  by  their  crimes.  They  unite 
in  gangs,  make  war  on  society,  have  head- 
quarters, agents,  expressmen  and  bankers. 
No  trades  are  prosecuted  with  more  vigor. 
No  people  are  more  adroit,  skillful  or  successful.  An 
ocean  steamer  left  the  Mersey  for  New  York.  Among 
the  passengers  was  a lady  who  seemed  to  be  traveling 
alone,  and  a young  lawyer  who  paid  her  marked  atten- 
tion. In  a journal  on  board  there  was  an  account  of  a 
trial  of  a well-known  man  for  forgery.  His  wife,  sup- 
posed to  be  an  accessory,  had  fled  the  country.  All 
efforts  to  save  the  culprit  from  prison  failed.  The 
lawyer  got  an  impression  that  the  woman  on  the  ship 
was  the  fugitive  wife,  and  the  woman  knew  that  she 
was  suspected.  She  resolved  to  make  the  counselor 
pay  for  his  knowledge.  Soon  after  the  ship  reached 
the  dock,  the  young  man  received  a note  asking  him  to 
call  at  her  hotel  on  business.  The  important  business 
turned  out  to  be  a request  for  a loan  of  $500.  The 
woman  had  the  lawyer  in  her  toils.  He  held  an  im- 
portant position,  and  his  reputation  was  without  a 
stain.  To  connect  his  name  any  way  with  a woman 
would  harm  him.  She  kept  a record  of  his  little  at- 
tentions on  shipboard.  He  was  that  moment  in  her 
private  room  at  a hotel.  He  took  in  the  situation  at  a 
glance  and  was  equal  to  it.  He  obtained  ten  days  in 
which  to  affect  the  loan.  Those  were  busy  days.  It 
was  the  time  of  the  Tweed  regime.  A petition  was  got 
up,  largely  signed,  and  sent  in  to  the  governor  asking 
for  the  pardon  of  the  forger.  The  day  the  money  was 


GRANT^S  DISH  BIGHT  SIDE  UP. 


29 


to  liave  been  paid,  the  criminal  walked  in  to  the  aston- 
ishment and  alarm  of  the  wife.  An  indictment  hung 
over  her,  and  she  had  to  follow  her  husband  over  the 
seas.  To  outwit  a blackmailer  a criminal  had  to  be 
pardoned  and  a woman  banished. 


XY. 

GRANT’S  DISH  RIGHT  SIDE  UP. 

ENERAL  GRANT  is  a lucky  man.  The  war 
found  him  in  a tan-yard  keeping  books  at 
$600  a year.  He  was  lucky  in  getting  a 
West  Point  education.  But  for  this,  the  war 
would  have  left  him  where  it  found  him.  He  started 
for  the  Capitol,  but  had  no  friend  at  court.  He  kicked 
his  heels  against  the  lintels  of  the  State  house  waiting 
for  employment.  No  one  recognized  in  the  needy 
applicant  the  coming  man.  He  offered  his  services  to 
the  War  Department,  and  the  snobby  official  threw  the 
letter  into  the  waste  basket.  It  was  neither  answered 
nor  preserved.  His  manners  did  not  inspire  confi- 
dence. He  was  snubbed  by  porters,  grinned  at  by 
corporals,  and  laughed  at  by  officers  who  were  fuss  and 
feathers.  Grant  was  always  on  hand.  He  took  the 
first  thing  that  turned  up,  and  did  thoroughly  and 
cheerfully  everything  he  put  his  hand  to.  He  was 
clerk  in  the  State  house  ; an  ornamental  member  of 
the  Governor’ s staff  ; sent  trooi^s  to  the  front  and  got 
praise  from  the  Secretary  of  War ; subdued  a mutin- 
.ous  regiment,  and  was  sent  out  West  with  a colonel’s 
commission  to  get  rid  of  him.  He  was  in  the  way  out 


30 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


West  and  efforts  were  made  to  remove  Mm.  A recall 
was  signed  by  President  Lincoln,  but  as  luck  would 
have  it,  before  Grant  could  be  found,  Vicksburg  sur- 
rendered. He  bought  an  old  worn-out  farm  for  a song 
on  the  outskirts  of  St.  Louis,  on  which  to  raise  horses. 
It  is  now  in  the  heart  of  the  city,  cut  up  into  house 
lots,  and  its  owner  is  a millionare.  A young  man,  un- 
known to  fame,  with  neither  money  nor  influence,  with 
no  patrons  or  friends,  in  six  years  flghts  more  battles, 
gains  more  victories,  captures  more  prisoners,  takes 
more  sjjoils,  commands  more  men,  than  Napoleon  did 
in  twenty  years.  His  enemies  put  into  his  hands  the 
commission  which  up  to  that  time  no  one  but  Wash- 
ington had  ever  borne.  He  occupied  the  seat  that 
Washington  graced,  and  carved  with  his  own  sword 
his  name  imperishably  on  the  facade  of  the  republic. 

Grant  met  his  luck  half  way.  He  pulled  where  he 
was  hitched,  and  did  what  he  was  bid.  He  was  self- 
reliant,  acting  on  his  own  judgment.  He  called  but 
one  council  of  war,  and  rejected  the  advice  it  gave. 
He  is  a man  of  few  words,  keeping  his  own  purposes 
to  himself.  Napoleon’s  secretary  of  war  pronounced 
on  him  this  high  eulogium  : Grant  is  a remarkable 
man.  In  a nation  of  talkers  he  seems  to  be  the  only 
silent  person.”  He  is  a man  of  iron  nerve  and  his 
boldness  is  memorable.  On  the  Black  Friday  he 
walked  into  the  treasury  building  and  gave  an  order 
that  demoralized  the  gold  conspirators.  He  is  noted 
for  his  obstinacy.  In  the  war,  committees  could  not 
control  him,  nor  cliques  in  peace.  Nobody  wanted 
him  in  the  army.  His  old  comrade  McClellan  turned 
Ills  back  on  him  Avhen  Grant  asked  for  a place  on  his 
staff.  His  energetic  talks  about  seizing  forts  and  crip- 
j)ling  armies  were  not  jfleasant  to  hear.  Unconditional 
suiTender  had  a popular  ring  in  it  that  politicians  did 
not  like.  Like  Napoleon,  Wellington,  and  Nelson, 


WHISTLE  OUT  OF  A PIG'S  TAIL. 


31 


Grant  became  disgusted  with  his  treatment,  and  pro- 
posed to  leave  the  service.  But  for  the  advice  and 
influence  of  Sherman  he  would  have  done  so.  Six 
months  after  his  letter  of  resignation  was  written  Hal- 
leck  was  removed,  and  Grant  became  lieutenant-general 
of  the  United  States  army. 


XVI. 

WHISTLE  OUT  OF  A PIG’S  TAIL. 

TALENTED  man  can  make  a success  out 
of  anything.  Tourjee  wanted  music  in 
schools,  as  reading,  arithmetic  and  grammar 
were  taught.  A stubborn  trustee  said  it 
could  not  be  done.  ‘‘You  might  as  well  make  a whis- 
tle out  a pig’s  tail,”  he  said.  Tourjee  bought  a pig’s 
tail— dug  out  the  bone — made  a whistle  stout  enough 
for  a locomotive— blew  it  in  the  ear  of  the  astonished 
trustee,  saying,  “There’s  the  jug’s  tail — here’s  the 
whistle — now  let  us  have  the  music.”  A stupid  fellow 
will  fling  away  the  best  chances  ; a third-rate  man  in  a 
first-rate  place  is  still  third-rate.  A first-rate  man  in  a 
subordinate  position  will  come  to  the  front.  Every 
day  men  are  taken  from  coach-box  and  put  into  the 
ofiice  ; from  an  oyster-bed  and  promoted  ; from  a low 
place  on  a railroad  or  in  a store  to  a suj)erior  one. 
“We  can’t  afford  to  have  you  down  here,  you  are 
worth  too  much  ; come  up  higher.”  Hilton  was  not  a 
smart  man  nor  a talented  man,  but  he  was  just  the  man 
Stewart  wanted — cool,  cautious,  accurate.  He  wrote  a 
handsome  hand,  and  Stewart’s  papers  came  to  him  in 


32 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


elegant  order.  He  did  wliat  Stewart  wanted  him  to  do 
and  did  it  after  his  emj^loyer’s  fashion. 

The  founder  of  a paper  house  who  began  business 
as  a rag-picker  was  honest  at  the  start.  His  bundles 
were  what  they  professed  to  be.  First-class  rags  were 
by  themselves,  the  weight  and  quality  never  failed. 
He  won  the  confidence  of  the  trade  and  has  kept  it  to 
this  hour.  Some  of  the  proud  men  on  Brooklyn 
Heights  peddled  milk,  and  made  fortunes  from  cow 
pastures  turned  into  city  lots.  Others  were  in  trades 
that  would  not  now  be  considered  reputable.  These 
men  had  sense  enough  to  get  out  of  the  business  as 
soon  as  they  had  money  enough  to  do  so.  A woman 
saved  money  sufficient  out  of  cheap  lodgings  to  buy  a 
lot.  On  it  she  ran  up  a rude  shanty,  nailing  on  the 
boards  with  her  own  hands.  Out  of  her  customers  she 
supported  her  old  motlier  and  invested  her  savings  in 
real  estate.  She  is  now  worth  ten  millions.  A smart 
lad  got  into  a down- town  store.  He  kindled  fires,  ran 
errands,  and  did  chores.  He  set  up  for  a small  trader, 
bought  a few  pounds  of  soap  and  a few  pounds  of 
sugar  and  coffee.  He  founded  the  great  coffee  house  of 
Small  & Bacon.  A young  man  came  from  the  State  of 
Maine.  He  had  a handsaw,  a hammer  and  a small  kit 
of  tools.  He  was  a sober,  industrious  and  frugal.  He 
saved  money,  put  it  into  real  estate,  built  Rutgers 
Row,  and  no  mechanic  in  New  York  is  better  known 
than  Higgings.  Carman  was  a carpenter.  He  made  a 
specialty  of  sugar  boxes.  He  put  his  Avages  in  real 
estate,  and  Carmansville  is  a monument  to  Ins  prudence 
and  success. 


EON.  RUSSEL  SAGE. 


33 


XVII. 

HON.  RUSSEL  SAGE. 

SSEL  SAGE  stands  foremost  among  the 
financial  men  of  the  country.  He  leads  the 
mammoth  stock  operations  on  Wall  street. 
His  rooms  on  William  street  are  as  plain  as 
a New  England  barn.  His  private  office  is  a little  den 
of  a room,  opening  into  two  spacious  chambers.  An 
oil-cloth  covers  the  ffoor,  and  an  iron  railing  keeps 
back  the  crowd.  In  this  unpretentious  office,  gigantic 
operations  take  place.  Mr.  Sage’s  movements  are 
watched.  Speculators  dog  his  steps  ; they  head  him 
off  in  the  street ; interrupt  his  meals  ; and  spring 
upon  him  in  all  the  out-way  places  of  business.  He  is 
a bold  and  successful  railroad  man.  His  banking  trans- 
actions are  heavy.  Without  controversy,  he  is  the 
leader  of  the  street.  He  has  the  confidence  of  busi- 
ness men  who  will  not  trust  each  other.  Men  put  mil- 
lions into  his  hands,  having  the  fullest  confidence  in 
his  financial  ability  and  integrity.  Quiet,  reserved 
and  modest,  he  comes  to  the  front  in  all  the  great 
transactions  of  the  street. 

Mr.  Sage  was  born  in  Oneida  county.  New  York. 
He  received  a good  education,  and  at  ten  years  of  age 
he  entered  a mercantile  house  in  Troy.  He  showed 
marked  business  capacity  and  superior  judgment.  At 
twenty  he  went  into  business  for  himself.  Soon  after, 
he  opened  a wholesale  trade.  He  earned  the  repute  of 
being  honest,  capable,  and  being  endowed  with  sterling- 
integrity.  In  a ward  opposed  to  him  politically,  he 
was  elected  alderman.  He  kept  his  seat  in  the  city 
councils  seven  years.  H«  was  elected  treasurer  by  the 


34 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


popular  vote,  and  held  his  position  till  transferred 
to  the  Thirty-third  Congress.  His  career  from  1853  to 
1857  was  distinguished  by  political  sagacity,  marked 
ability  and  executive  force.  He  did  excellent  service 
as  a committee  of  ways  and  means,  and  occupied  a 
place  on  other  important  committees  of  the  house. 

An  incident  occurred  when  Mr.  Sage  was  twenty- 
four  years  of  age,  which  shows  the  esteem  in  which 
Mr.  Sage  was  held  by  the  eminent  men  of  his  party. 
An  attemi)t  was  made  to  jostle  Senator  Seward  off  the 
track.  The  Tyler  administration  did  not  like  him. 
His  counsels  were  unheeded.  His  friends  could  obtain 
no  appointments.  Mr.  Sage  was  selected  to  visit  Wash- 
ington, and  if  possible  remove  the  ban,  and  to  have 
justice  done  to  Mr.  Seward’s  principles  and  position. 
Mr.  Sage  accomplished  the  mission  with  great  adroit- 
ness and  success.  An  offensive  appointment  was  re- 
voked at  a cabinet  meeting.  A friend  of  Mr.  Seward 
received  a commission.  Mr.  Sage  watched  the  api^oint- 
ment  through  all  its  phases,  and  took  the  commission 
home  with  him  to  Troy. 

With  Mr.  Sage  originated  the  idea  of  purchasing 
Mount  Vernon,  and  making  it  a national  domain.  Mr. 
Sage  agitated  the  question  at  home,  and  introduced 
into  Congress  the  original  resolution  for  the  purchase. 
He  made  an  effective  speech  on  the  measure  and  car- 
ried the  House  of  Representatives  with  him.  He  advo- 
cated the  appointment  of  a committee  of  ladies,  which 
grew  into  the  Mount  Vernon  Association.  The  success 
of  the  measure  was  the  subject  of  general  congratula- 
tion. His  constituents  were  proud  to  say  “ our  repre- 
sentative did  it.”  Seward  jocosely  said,  ‘Won  have 
stolen  my  thunder.  Sage.” 

Mr.  Sage  found  in  the  railroads  of  the  country  a 
field  suited  to  his  tastes  and  ability.  On  leaving  Con- 
gress he  entered  upon  the  construction  of  these  iron 


nON.  RUSSEL  SAOE. 


35 


pathways.  He  built  and  managed  more  lines  than 
any  other  man  in  America.  His  name  is  identified 
with  the  most  successful  roads  of  the  country.  He 
displayed  great  talent  for  developing  and  managing 
this  gigantic  interest.  He  has  built  over  three  thou- 
sand miles  of  road,  and  has  been  contractor  and  presi- 
dent of  the  heaviest  lines  in  the  land.  He  built 
three  roads  in  New  York,  four  in  Wisconsin,  two 
in  Indiana,  one  in  Illinois,  two  in  Ohio,  four  in  Min- 
nesota, beside  roads  in  Schenectady,  St.  Paul,  and 
Milwaukee. 

Like  all  men  of  marked  business  ability,  when  Mr. 
Sage  has  outgrown  one  great  interest,  he  turns  his  at- 
tention to  another.  For  the  past -three  years  Mr.  Sage 
has  controlled  the  great  money  interests  of  the  street. 
His  peculiar  business  required  a great  amount  of  ready 
money,  and  he  became  a prominent  banker.  He  was 
known  in  the  city  as  one  of  the  heaviest  real  estate 
operators.  With  an  enormous  push  and  force,  his  ex- 
cellent judgment  made  him  conservative.  He  believes 
that  the  prosperity  of  a city  or  country  depends  on 
keeping  its  banks,  railroads  and  moneyed  institutions 
sound  and  healthful.  In  times  of  panic  and  alarm,  he 
has  used  his  great  wealth  and  influence  to  uphold 
these  institutions.  In  periods  of  mercantile  disaster, 
he  is  always  appealed  to,  and  his  foresight,  sagacity 
and  good  judgment  has  more  than  once  averted 
threatened  convulsion.  ‘M)uring  my  business  career 
in  New  York,”  he  says,  “I  have  seen  over  fifty  i)er 
cent,  of  the  moneyed  men  go  under.” 

Mr.  Sage  is  a man  of  fine  presence.  He  is  tall, 
slim,  erect  as  a Mohawk  warrior.  His  hair  is  dark, 
his  expression  pleasant,  manner  genial,  his  voice  low 
and  magnetic,  his  action  prompt  and  decided.  His  in- 
fluence over  men  has  always  been  great.  He  is  cool, 
sagacious,  level-headed,  a judicious  adviser  and  a 


86 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


steadfast  and  liberal  friend.  ‘‘  I have  no  rules  of  suc- 
cess,” he  said,  have  no  plans  and  no  special 
methods  of  doing  business,  I meet  the  matters  that 
press  upon  me  day  by  day,  I do  the  best  I can  with 
everything  that  demands  my  attention.  I settle  each 
case  by  the  light  I have,  I settle  each  case  on  its  own 
merits,  I have  no  regret  when  a thing  is  done,  and  I 
have  done  the  best  I could.” 

Mr.  Sage’s  style  of  business  wins  confidence.  He  is 
systematic,  prompt  and  decided,  he  never  betrayed  a 
trust.  When  moneyed  institutions  get  by  the  ears, 
men  say : ‘ ‘ Call  in  Sage ; he  will  straighten  things  out.” 
In  attempts  at  consolidation  when  parties  cannot  agree 
Mr.  Sage  is  called  in  as  an  arbitrator.  All  sides  ac- 
knowledge his  fairness. 

Privileges,  as  they  are  called,  better  known  as 
straddles,  originated  with  Mr.  Sage.  He  originated 
the  business  to  remove  despondency  ; to  help  men  who 
are  down ; to  enable  men  to  trade  in  a small  way  who 
need  assistance.  The  jMnciple  is  simply  a loan  of 
capital  and  credit  to  impoverished  men.  By  privileges 
he  can  help  others  and  not  damage  himself.  The  busi- 
ness demands  a very  large  sum  of  money.  Such  is  the 
confidence  in  Mr.  Sage’ s ability  and  integrity  that  his 
privileges  are  eagerly  sought  for.  Whether  his  losses 
are  heavy  or  light  all  men  know  that  he  will  take  care 
of  his  x)romises. 

Vanderbilt  was  reputed  to  be  worth  eighty  millions. 
The  old  millionaire  was  caught  in  the  panic  of  seventy- 
three.  He  was  in  a terrible  fix  with  the  Lake  Shore 
road.  Money  could  not  be  obtained  from  any  quarter. 
There  was  danger  that  one  of  our  heaviest  banks  would 
close  it  doors.  Twelve  millions  must  be  secured  in 
seven  days  or  the  crisis  would  come.  All  eyes  were 
turned  to  Mr.  Sage,  as  they  had  often  been  before.  He 
could  have  used  his  funds  for  private  purposes,  and 


HON.  R US8EL  SA  GE. 


37 


reaped  the  golden  harvest.  His  great  public  spirit  in- 
duced him  to  listen  to  the  public  cry.  He  secured  the 
sum  needed  ; the  bank  maintained  its  credit,  and  the 
State  was  saved  a terrible  mercantile  disaster. 

Mr.  Sage  has  always  contended  that  the  great  money 
center  of  New  York  must  be  kept  sound  ; that  men  of 
business  must  be  attracted  to  the  city.  No  bank  or 
well-regulated  institution,  he  argued,  ought  to  go  to  the 
wall  for  want  of  a little  timely  aid.  Probably  no  busi- 
ness man  in  New  York  has  so  large  a cash  account  as 
Mr.  Sage,  and  he  is  always  ready  to  assist  a struggling 
institution  with  temporary  aid.  Mild  and  genial  as  he 
seems  to  be,  he  is  as  firm  as  adamant  in  matters  of  busi- 
ness. He  is  even  autocratic.  will  assist  you,”  he 
would  say,  “but  you  must  commit  this  whole  matter 
to  me ; give  me  unlimited  power,  and  submit  to  my 
decision.” 

The  Union  Trust  Company  was  heavily  embarrassed. 
Money  could  not  be  obtained  at  any  price.  Mr.  Sage 
was  appealed  to.  He  took  in  the  situation  at  a glance. 
He  saw  the  linancial  ruin  that  would  follow.  He  secured 
the  necessary  relief, — much  of  it  was  his  own  money, — 
and  saved  the  great  public  interest.  Many  would  have 
used  his  position  for  their  private  ends.  Mr.  Sage 
chose  to  serve  the  public. 

The  ablest  business  men  in  the  country  had  labored 
for  years  to  unite  under  one  management  the  great 
telegraph  lines  of  the  nation.  The  union  was  deemed 
a public  necessity.  All  attempts  at  a consolidation 
had  failed.  Mr.  Gould  grasped  the  Atlantic  and  Paci- 
fic lines.  He  could  bear  the  stock  at  will.  Nobody 
could  control  him,  no  Avriting  bind  him.  As  usual, 
under  such  a crisis,  Mr.  Sage  was  called  in.  He  re- 
garded the  union  of  the  telegraph  interests  as  of  na- 
tional imxAortance.  So  far  all  efforts  failed  ; meetings 


38 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


came  to  nauglit,  and  agreements  Avere  drawn  np  only 
to  be  broken. 

A new  element  appeared  in  Wall  street.  Keene  in 
California  introduced  the  tactics  of  the  coast  and  be- 
came an  ally  of  Jay  Gould.  Keene  was  bold,  daring 
and  successful.  He  had  made  five  millions  in  five 
years,  and  in  the  stock  board  made  an  unusual  stir. 
In  a few  months  Keene  fell  out  with  Gould  and  Mr. 
Sage  saw  his  oiDport unity.  He  joined  forces  with 
Keene  and  got  control  of  Gould’s  own  stock.  Gould 
saw  he  was  outwitted,  and  placed  his  interest  in  Mr. 
Sage’s  hands.  The  vdiole  movement  was  bold,  keen 
and  successful.  The  futile  work  of  years  gave  way  to 
a successful  consolidation.  He  had  put  a capital  of 
fifty  millions  under  one  management.  It  subjected 
six  thousand  miles  of  line  to  one  key-board.  The 
Western  Union  stock  went  up  from  fifty-six  to  sixty- 
four.  The  Atlantic  and  Pacific  from  seventeen  to 
twenty-five.  What  Orton,  Morgan  and  other  eminent 
financiers  could  not  do,  though  they  were  years  about 
it,  Mr.  Sage  accomplished  in  a few  months. 

Management  of  the  Pacific  Mail  came  into  the  hands 
of  Mr.  Sage.  The  company  was  embarrassed  and  on 
the  eve  of  bankruptcy.  A crushing  debt  of  five  mil- 
lions rested  upon  it.  Stockwell’s  administration  was 
disastrous.  The  extravagance  of  other  officials  para- 
lyzed the  company.  Mr.  Sage  was  called  to  the  helm 
b}^  universal  demand  as  the  only  man  who  could  save 
the  company.  He  loved  the  Pacific  coast.  He  resolved 
to  sustain  the  only  line  that  bore  the  American  flag. 
The  Golden  Gate  and  China  must  be  kept  open  to 
American  commerce.  The  great  coast  trade  belonged 
to  America  and  must  not  be  diverted  to  England.  Mr. 
Sage  took  command  with  his  usual  vigor,  telegraphed 
funds  to  the  Pacific  coast  to  save  the  line  from  bank- 
ruptcy. 


HON.  R USSEL  SA  GE. 


39 


From  boyhood  up  Mr.  Sage’s  career  has  been  a 
remarkable  one.  He  early  displayed  talents  and  traits 
that,  rightly  guided,  unerringly  win.  His  industry 
was  a habit.  Economy  was  a necessity.  He  had  an 
aptitude  at  trade  when  a mere  youngster.  He  walked 
surely  up  through  all  the  grades  of  store  boy,  clerk, 
salesman,  retailer,  and  wholesale  dealer.  The  same 
trusted  and  capable  trader  in  each  relation.  He  seemed 
a born  leader,  and  came  to  the  front  naturally.  He 
relied  on  no  chances,  but  trusted  level-headedness, 
fidelity,  and  strong  common  sense.  In  his  earlier  busi- 
ness life  he  was  distinguished  for  force,  And 

financial  keenness. 

He  grew  rich  and  conservative.  Fast  horses, 
yachts,  and  genteel  dissix^ations  had  no  charm  for  him. 

Mr.  Sage  has  a marked  eye  for  beauty.  Though  not 
a fast  man  he  likes  a good  stex3X>er  on  the  road.  His 
team  is  elegant,  gentle,  fleet,  and  in  his  recreation 
takes  nobody’s  dust.  He  is  x^roud  of  his  horses.  They 
whinny  his  coming,  and  respond  to  his  gentle  touch 
in  the  stable  with  marked  affection.  . He  uses  his  great 
gifts  with  wisdom,  and  gratefully  as  a Christian 
should  do.  He  lives  in  elegant  style,  has  his  home  on 
Fifth  avenue,  where  he  despenses  a genial  hosxutality. 
His  gifts  are  large,  but  unostentatious.  He  is  identi- 
fied with  the  large  philanthropic  institutions  of  the  city. 
He  is  modest,  cheery,  and  attractive  in  social  life, 
and  has  hosts  of  friends.  Mrs.  Sage  is  an  attractive 
lady,  and  is  of  one  of  the  wealthy  Germaine  families  of 
Long  Island.  She  is  a lady  of  quiet  disposition,  re- 
fined, and  intelligent.  She  has  much  to  do  with  the 
great  charities  of  the  city.  She  is  a lady  of  great  ex- 
ecutive ability.  There  is  scarcely  an  institution  that 
assists  the  suffering  with  which  she  is  not  officially 
connected. 


40 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


xyiii. 

WOMAN’S  HEROISM. 

WOMAN  in  New  York  is  reputed  to  be 
worth  two  million  dollars.  When  a girl  she 
left  her  New  England  home  to  seek  a for- 
tune. She  passed  her  first  night  in  New  Y ork 
walking  the  streets,  for  she  had  not  money  enough  to 
pay  for  lodgings.  She  kept  her  destitution  to  herself. 
She  engaged  a small  room,  and  sol;cited  pupils  from 
house  to  house.  Her  cheery  face,  neat  attire,  and  reso- 
lution won.  She  opened  a school  with  six  puj)ils.  She 
had  but  one  dress  and  that  she  washed  at  night.  Her 
school  grew  in  fame  and  in  strength.  Some  of  the 
most  eminent  men  of  New  York  were  her  patrons. 
She  had  a great  knack  at  trading,  traveled  in  the  west 
and  the  south  as  a saleswoman,  invested  wisely,  and 
became  rich. 

One  of  the  most  eminent  physicians  in  New  York 
owed  his  wealth  to  his  wife’s  mother.  This  woman 
was  a Philadelphia  milliner.  During  the  war  of  1812, 
she  bought  a large  bankrupt  stock  of  ribbons  and  mil- 
linery goods.  The  war  closed,  and  the  stock  rose  on 
her  hands.  She  invested  her  gains  in  a farm  on  the 
Bloomingdale  road.  A few  hundred  dollars  invested 
in  fancy  goods  swelled  into  a colossal  fortune. 

Two  ladies  were  left  heirs  to  a large  landed  estate. 
The  property  yielded  nothing,  while  the  taxes  and 
assessments  nearly  ate  everything  up.  The  girls  suf- 
fered every  privation,  but  held  on  to  the  land.  I heard 
Bishop  Onderdonk  say,  thac  while  he  was  rector  of 


BUSINESS  BE  BUTE. 


41 


Trinity  Church,  the  ladies  gave  up  their  pews,  for  they 
were  too  poor  to  pay  their  rent.  They  held  on,  and  are 
now  millionaires. 


XIX. 


BUSINESS  REPUTE. 


EPUTATION  is  as  good  as  capital ; character 
is  better.  Reputation  is  what  a man  passes 
for  ; character  is  what  he  is.  A man  on  the 
Pacific  coast  sent  a box  of  gold  dust  to  a 
Boston  chemist.  He  had  a mountain  full  he  said, 
enough  to  pay  the  National  debt.  The  dust  was 
worthless.  The  repute  was  gold  ; character  was  iron 
pyrites.  Calling  iron  pyrites  gold  dust  don’ t make  it 
so.  Reputation  is  invaluable,  but  men  rise  by  charac- 
ter. An  intelligent  row  boy  will  keep  a hotel.  A 
smart  and  fair  news  boy  will  edit  a journal  or  own  a 
book  store.  A bright  store  boy  will  grow  into  a mer- 
chant. A trademark  is  often  a fortune  in  itself.  The 
pioneers  on  the  Pacific  coast  demand  axes  from  a par- 
ticular factory  in  Massachusetts.  One  style  of  Ameri- 
can prints  are  in  demand  at  Manchester.  Plated  ware 
of  a particular  house  sells  in  Sheffield.  Some  brands 
of  flour  and  sugar  lead  the  market.  Merchants  who 
are  millionaires  are  men  of  repute.  Lawyers  who  take 
thousand-dollar  retainers  and  grow  into  judges,  are 
men  of  character.  A doctor  who  wins  golden  fees, 
earns  them  by  years  of  honor,  study  and  skill. 


42 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


XX. 

XOTHINe  TO  DO. 

MPLOYMENT  is  both  the  duty  and  the  charm 
of  life.  Indolence  and  sloth  enervate,  and 
both  take  from  man  the  capacity  to  enjoy. 
The  crime  of  Sodom,  as  the  Bible  records  it, 
was,  Pride,  fullness  of  bread,  and  abundance  of  idle- 
ness too  much  to  eat,  and  nothing  to  do.  When 
Poman  emperors  were  taken  from  the  plow  the  empire 
was  mistress  of  the  world.  When  idleness  was  a crime 
in  Judea  the  valleys  were  hot -beds  of  vegetation,  and 
the  mountains  were  terraced  to  their  summit  with  fruit 
and  verdure.  Young  America  takes  his  first  false  step 
when  he  enters  business  to  make  money  that  he  may 
idle  away  life  in  sensual  enjoyment.  It  is  no  unusual 
thing  for  an  avaricious,  grasping  man,  to  make  toil  so 
distasteful  to  his  boys  as  to  drive  them  off  from  the 
farm  into  trade.  Farm  life,  to  the  average  boy,  is 
drudgery.  All  the  day  is  filled  up  with  work.  Time 
is  money,”  and  “A  penny  saved  is  two  pence  clear,” 
are  proverbs  drilled  into  him  from  the  cradle.  If  he 
turns  the  grindstone  his  father  will  hold  on  hard  to 
encourage  him.  The  boy’s  mother  works  like  a galley 
slave,  and  will  till  she  drops  into  the  grave.  His 
sisters  are  denied  music,  amusements,  and  pictorials, 
for  they  cost  money.  Nobody  can  take  an  afternoon’s 
drive,  for  man  and  beast  are  wanted  in  the  field.  The 
boy  has  no  time  to  hunt,  fish,  snare  rabbits,  or  mend 
his  skates.  A country  cousin  finds  his  relative  chop- 
X)ing  wood  in  the  back  yard.  Visitor  has  come  up 
from  the  city.  He  wears  shiny  boots,  a tall  hat,  and 
store  clothes.  He  is  loaded  down  with  brass  jewelry. 


NOTHING  TO  BO. 


43 


and  has  more  money  in  his  pocket  than  the  farm  boy 
ever  handled  in  his  life.  The  first  opportunity  that 
boy  has,  he  will  run  away  from  this  drudgery,  attracted 
by  the  glamour  of  trade.  This  is  one  view  of  toil.  In 
spite  of  this,  occupation  is  a duty.  There  was  not  an 
indolent  bone  in  the  Apostolic  college,  unless  it  was  in 
Judas.  Our  Lord  selected  the  rugged  trade  of  a car- 
penter. Adam  was  a gardener.  Noah  was  a husband- 
man. Moses  kept  sheep.  Jacob  was  on  a business 
journey  v/hen  God  appeared  to  him  at  Haran.  Elijah 
was  taken  from  the  plow.  David  acquired  the  skill  to 
sling  a stone  through  the  skull  of  Goliah  by  his  i^rac- 
tice  as  a shepherd  lad. 

Eminent  men  have  put  the  seal  of  their  approval 
on  regular  labor.  E.  G.  Shaw  was  a wealthy  mer- 
chant. At  sixty  he  was  as  deep  in  commerce,  as  when 
he  was  earning  his  fortune.  I shall  die,”  he  said,  ‘Gf 
I stop.”  Dr.  McKnight  had  regular  employment  for 
thirty  years  on  his  commentaries.  His  friend  urged 
him  to  do  for  the  Gospels,  what  he  done  for  the 
Epistles.  He  declined, — he  had  earned  rest  and 
meant  to  take  it.  In  a few  months  he  was  a driveling 
idiot.  Isaac  Spaulding  was  asked  : ‘‘  What  will  you 

do  with  your  great  fortune,  as  you  have  neither 
chick  nor  child?”  He  replied,  If  any  man  takes  as 
much  comfort  in  spending  my  money,  as  I have  taken 
in  earning  it,  he  will  have  a good  time.”  Governor 
Marcy,  after  forty  years  of  active  life,  retired  to  Ball- 
ston  for  repose.  He  could  endure  toil,  but  he  could 
not  endure  inaction.  In  a short  time  he  was  borne 
to  his  burial. 

A Wall  street  broker  made  a fortune  and  con- 
cluded to  retire.  He  proposed  to  enjoy  himself  in  his 
elegant  villa  on  the  Hudson,  with  his  books,  paintings, 
and  horses.  In  the  autumn,  he  was  back  in  his  old 
place.  He  told  his  story.  “At  first  I was  charmed. 


44 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Life  was  new  to  nae,  and  the  rest  was  delicious.  I 
drove  out  daily,  saw  the  trains  come  and  go,  and  wel- 
comed my  neighbors.  I walked  over  my  grounds  and 
planned  improvements  enough  to  occupy  me  a year. 
In  a month  I was  sick  enough.  I knew  every  rod  of 
wall,  and  every  turn  in  the  road  ; I fell  asleep  over  my 
books,  and  my  pictures  tired  me.  I had  no  gas  or 
water,  and  my  papers  came  at  night,  or  the  next  day. 
Worse  than  all,  the  world  went  on  without  me,  and  I 
was  voted  an  old  fogie.  No  one  asked  my  advice  on 
the  market,  and  no  one  accepted  it  when  I.  tendered  it. 
I am  back  at  my  post,  and  propose  to  die  with  my  har- 
ness on.”  A well-known  New  England  man  attained 
great  success  in  trade.  He  retired  that  he  might  enjoy 
the  fruits  of  his  labor.  He  had  a city  mansion  and  a 
country  home.  He  tilled  his  palaces  wdth  every 
luxury.  ‘‘ Whatsoever  his  eyes  desired  he  kept  not 
from  them,  and  he  withheld  not  his  heart  from  any 
joy.”  He  had  nothing  to  do,  and  life  became  a bur- 
den which  he  could  not  bear.  One  morning  he  was 
found  floating  in  the  dock  in  front  of  his  island  home. 
He  had  thrown  himself  into,  the  water. 


XXL 

SHARP  PRACTICE. 

N the  teeth  of  the  experience  of  six  thousand 
years,  men  argue  that  sharp  practice  in  trade 
is  profitable.  This  popular  idea  is  embraced 
in  certain  pithy  maxims:  “Take  care  of 
yourself;”  “Keep  your  eyes  peeled;”  “Have  your 


SHARP  PRACTICE. 


45 


eye-teetli  cut  “ Look  out  for  number  one  ‘‘If  you 
buy  the  devil,  you  must  sell  him  again.-’  With  all 
these  line  maxims  and  this  sharp  practice,  the  fact  is 
patent  that  ninety-live  per  cent,  of  business  men  fail. 
Hardly  more  could  go  under  if  all  business  was  trans- 
acted on  honest  principles.  It  was  said  of  a merchant : 
“A  half  cent  failed  him,  and  he  did  not  know  it.”  He 
was  very  sharp,  very  shrewd,  and  the  odd  half  cent 
was  always  in  his  favor.  People  saw  through  the  little 
trick  and  waited.  When  the  right  time  came  they 
took  reprisals.  A well-known  New  Yorker  was  grasp- 
ing and  hard-hearted.  He  had  no  compassion  for  men 
who  met  with  reverses.  When  a poor  fellow  came  to 
him  to  ask  him  how  he  would  settle,  he  would  point  to 
the  sign  over  his  head,  on  which  was  written:  “No 
compromise.”  Thrusting  his  thumbs  into  the  arm- 
holes of  his  vest,  and  leaning  back  in  a lordly  way,  he 
would  add:  “There  is  one  way  in  which  I will  settle, 
pay  me  one  hundred  cents  on  the  dollar.  I can  wait.” 
Everybody  knew  that  such  a man  would  go  down. 
His  failure  was  terrific.  People  breathed  freer  as  he 
went  out  of  sight.  A well-known  stock  operator  drove 
his  four-in-hand  through  the  streets  at  church  time  to 
show  the  people  that  he  neither  feared  God  nor  re- 
garded man.  His  horses  were  sold  under  the  hammer 
for  express  purposes,  and  his  fine  mansion  became  a 
club-house.  Business  men  who  show  such  traits  have 
others.  These  will  crystallize  and  eventually  ruin  a 
man.  Willottson  began  a poor  mechanic.  He  gave  of 
his  penury  to  charitable  and  religious  purposes.  To 
help  her  husband  make  a donation  to  foreign  missions, 
his  wife  made  a few  silk  buttons  that  were  sold  in  the 
New  York  market.  More  were  called  for,  a profitable 
business  sprung  up,  a fortune  was  made,  and  Mr.  Wil- 
lottson became  one  of  the  greatest  givers  in  New  Eng- 
land. 


4G 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Men  neither  win  nor  lose  in  the  same  way.  One 
man  fails,  and  is  smart ; another  wins,  and  is  dull. 
Some  men  carry  too  much  sail,  some  too  little.  One 
man  ruins  his  business  because  he  is  a sloven  ; another 
ruius  his  because  he  is  a fop.  One  man  is  irreligious 
and  gives  offence  by  his  unwise  utterances  ; another 
parades  his  Bible  before  his  customers,  and  is  disagree- 
able. One  man  is  over-nice  and  becomes  fussy  ; an- 
other steps  over  a book  on  the  floor  instead  of  picking 
it  up  and  loses  his  place.  A young  man  got  a position 
on  Saturday  night  being  recommended  by  his  Sunday- 
school  teacher.  He  lost  his  pla,ce  on  Monday  for  being 
out  sailing  the  day  before.  A merchant  saw  a cashier 
riding  on  Sunday  with  a sporting  man,  and  closed  his 
account  with  the  bank  the  next  day.  Six  janitors  of 
as  many  cash  institutions  were  out  on  a “lark”  on 
Sunday.  They  were  all  dismissed  for  a breach  of  trust. 
A city  bank  has  a custom  of  celebrating  its  annual 
election.  Liquors  flow  in  abundance,  and  officials, 
directors  and  clerks  get  mellow.  Young  men  wdio 
drink  in  the  bank  drink  outside.  Men  who  drink  out- 
side will  have  company.  Men  who  have  company 
must  have  money.  Embezzlements  and  defalcations 
follow.  More  than  one  official  has  left  this  bank  under 
a cloud. 


WASIIIIWTOI^,  THE  boy. 


47 


XXIT. 


WASHINGTON,  THE  BOY. 


PEOKGE  WASHINGTON 


was  made  of  com- 
mon flesh  and  blood.  He  had  no  advantages 
over  the  com  mon  ran  of  American  boys.  His 
early  life  was  a nigged  one.  He  had  a limited 
education,  and  he  made  up  all  deficiencies  by  intense 
private  study.  He  learned  to  read  out  of  the  Bible 
and  the  jjsalters,  his  mother  being  his  tutor.  He  was 
too  poor  to  pay  for  private  instruction,  and  there  ’were 
no  free  schools  in  Virginia.  He  worked  through  the 
day,  and  studied  at  night  by  the  light  of  pitch-pine 
knots.  At  ten  he  committed  to  memory  the  “Moral 
Maxims”  of  Sir  Matthew  Hale,  and  these  became  the 
guide  of  his  young  life.  He  was  head  and  shoulders 
above  his  mates,  as  in  after  years  he  overtopped  his 
peers.  If  the  boys  quarreled,  George  Washington 
was  the  judge.  When  they  played  soldiers,  George 
Washington  was  the  captain.  He  took  the  part  of  the 
weak,  and  one  of  his  earliest  exploits  was  the  thrash- 
ing of  a bully  who  was  the  terror  to  the  lads.  When 
quite  young,  he  understood  that  he  had  got  to  make 
his  own  way  in  the  world.  The  most  that  his  relatives 
ever  proposed  to  do  for  him  was  to  send  him  to  sea, 
and  this  they  nearly  accomplished.  When  a boy  he 
took  to  farm  life  and  surveying,  and  farms  are  sold 
to-day  on  George  Washington’s  survey.  At  nineteen 
he  sent  Hour  to  the  Alexandria  market.  The  colonial 
authorities  ordered  that  the  Mt.  Vernon  brand  should 
pass  without  inspection,  that  brand  being  a guarantee 
of  weight  and  quality.  Washington  was  an  athlete. 
He  could  run  faster,  fling  a stone  farther,  ride  better, 


48 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


throw  a man  to  the  gi’ound  harder  and  quicker  than 
any  other  person  in  Virginia.  He  had  a hot  and  hasty 
temper,  which  was  under  complete  control.  A prize 
fighter  taunted  him  with  cowardice.  Washington 
seized  the  blackguard,  and  hurled  him  to  the  ground 
with  such  violence  as  nearly  to  break  every  bone  in  his 
body.  When  an  old  man  he  threw  a stone  across  the 
Rappahannock,  and  hurled  an  iron  bar  twenty  feet 
beyond  that  of  a champion  who  was  the  boast  of  the 
country. 


XXIII. 

MILLIOXAIRE’S  FIRST  STEP. 

OXATHAX  STURGES  left  his  humble  home 
on  Cape  Cod  to  earn  a living  and  help  his 
mother.  The  captain  of  a coaster  gave  him 
a passage,  and  a letter  to  a dealer  in  sail- 
cloth.  Sturges  landed  in  Xew  York  on  Saturday 
night,  a stranger  and  penniless.  On  Sunday  morning 
he  looked  round  for  a church.  He  found  the  old  Wall 
Street  House  of  Worship,  near  Broadway.  He  stood 
on  the  steps  while  the  gay  throng  passed  in.  He  was 
not  fashionably  dressed,  and  knew  it.  The  grandeur 
of  the  place  appalled  him.  Robert  Lenox,  a promi- 
nent member  of  the  church,  was  always  on  the  lookout 
for  young  men.  He  saw  the  rustic  lad,  and  went  up 
and  spoke  to  him.  Are  you  a stranger  in  the  city 
‘‘Yes,  sir.  I arrived  last  night.”  “So  you  came  at 
once  to  the  house  of  God?”  “ Yes,  sir.  My  mother 
told  me  not  to  forsake  the  God  of  my  fathers.” 
“ Would  you  like  a seat  ?”  “I  would,”  and  the  bash- 


WEBSTER  A BOT. 


49 


fill  lad  was  ushered  into  Mr.  Lenox’s  own  pew. 
Sturgess  thanked  his  courteous  friend,  went  back  to 
the  vessel,  and  passed  the  night.  The  next  morning 
he  sought  out  the  dealer  in  sail-cloth,  and  presented 
his  letter.  He  wanted  work  and  wanted  credit  for  a 
little  canvas.  “Did  I not  see  you  in  Mr.  Lenox’s 
pew  yesterday?”  said  the  Scotch  merchant.  “I  don’t 
know  whose  pew  I sat  in,  sir,  but  a kind  gentleman 
gave  me  a seat.”  “Well,  lad,  that  was  Mr.  Lenox, 
and  it  is  no  common  honor  to  be  asked  to  sit  in  his 
pew.  I will  trust  any  boy  with  goods  who  has  that 
honor  conferred  upon  him.”  To  the  day  of  his  death 
Mr.  Sturgess  said  that  his  success  dated  from  that 
Sunday.  There  was  no  miracle  or  fanaticism  about  the 
matter.  Sturgess  was  at  once  introduced  to  valuable 
business  acquaintances.  He  had  credit  and  standing 
with  the  most  influential  men  of  the  city.  He  was 
shielded  from  bad  company  and  hurtful  recreation, 
and  started  fairly  at  once  on  his  career  of  success. 


xxiy. 

WEBSTER  AS  A BOY. 

ANIEL  WEBSTER  boasted  that  no  white 
man’s  cabin  stood  between  his  father’s  log 
hut  and  the  snows  of  Canada.  The  boy  took 
his  share  in  the  tough,  hard  work  of  a fron- 
tier life,  and  roughed  it  with  the  best.  His  father  was 
farmer,  tavern-keeper  and  justice.  My  father  trav- 
eling in  Xew  England  put  up  one  night  at  the  tavern 
kept  by  Squire  Webster.  The  door  of  the  public  room 
4 


oO 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


was  cut  in  halves.  On  the  lower  half  the  squire  was 
leaning,  the  upper  half  was  thrown  back.  Mr.  Web- 
ster shouted,  looking  towards  the  barn:  “Dan,  take 
this  man’s  horse.”  A tall,  slim,  dark-complexioned 
boy  responded  to  the  call.  His  pants  were  home-spun, 
dyed  with  butternut,  and  he  wore  no  coat.  A straw 
hat,  badly  torn,  was  on  his  head,  and  he  wore  neither 
shoes  nor  stockings.  He  took  the  horse  by  the  head- 
stall  and  put  him  up  in  the  barn. 

Daniel  learned  to  read  from  the  Bible  and  Psalm 
book.  His  memory  was  prodigious.  He  committed 
everything  he  laid  his  hands  on.  He  had  a dispute 
with  Ezekiel  about  a piece  of  poetry  he  learned  from 
an  almanac.  He  got  up  in  the  night  to  verify  his  quo- 
tation, and  nearly  burned  the  house  down.  He  gave 
the  first  quarter  he  earned  to  a peddler,  and  obtained 
a handkerchief,  on  which  was  printed  the  U.  S.  Consti- 
tution. He  committed  the  instrument  to  memory, 
lying  fiat  on  the  hearth  at  night  and  studying  by  the 
light  of  the  fire.  He  had  a great  thirst  for  knowledge. 
His  destination  was  determined  while  he  was  turning 
hay  by  the  side  of  his  father  in  the  “ south  hay- field.” 
A man  rode  up  and  held  a conversation  with  Mr.  Web- 
ster. When  he  left  the  father  said:  “Dan,  that  man 
beat  me  by  a few  votes,  because  he  has  an  education. 
Had  I had  learning,  I should  now  have  been  in  his 
place  as  a member  of  Congress.  Your  mother  and  I 
have  decided  to  send  you  to  college.  You  must  then 
work  your  own  way  into  Congress.” 


WEBSTER  AND  EZEKIEL. 


51 


XXY. 

WEBSTEK  AND  EZEKIEL. 

EBSTEK,  refused  to  go  to  college.  It  was  a 
boon  he  desired  above  all  things  else  ; yet 
he  would  not  accept  it  unless  Ezekiel  could 
share  it.  No  persuasion  could  change  his 
resolution.  Mrs.  Webster  cut  the  ‘‘  Gordian  knot.” 
She  said:  ‘‘Husband,  we  have  but  one  life  to  live. 
Let  us  mortgage  the  farm.  Send  the  boys  to  college, 
and  Daniel  and  Ezekiel  will  take  care  of  us  when  we 
are  old.”  Through  all  his  preparatory  course  he  took 
care  of  his  brother.  When  he  kept  school  his  first 
quarter’s  salary  was  drawn  in  favor  of  Ezeldel.  His 
salary  was  not  enough  for  both,  so  he  supplemented 
his  income  by  writing  up  the  records  of  Fryburgh  at 
fifty  cents  a night.  His  love  was  as  strong  as  that 
which  knit  David  and  Jonathan — stronger  than  the 
love  of  woman — which  death  could  not  divide.  In  col- 
lege Webster  was  not  brilliant.  He  had  no  speaking 
talent  and  steadfastly  refused  to  declaim.  He  took  no 
part  in  the  graduating  exercises.  But  he  had  some 
traits  better  than  brilliancy.  His  memory  was  marvel- 
ous. He  astonished  his  tutor  at  a j^reliminary  exami- 
nation by  the  offer  to  commit  the  whole  Latin  gram- 
mar. During  his  whole  educational  career  he  was 
never  late — never  out  of  his  place — never  absent  from 
the  chapel  exercises — never  had  an  imperfect  lesson, 
nor  a reprimand,  and  no  mark  of  disapproval  ever 
stood  against  his  name. 


52 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS 


xxyi. 

WEBSTER  CHOOSES  A PROFESSION. 

ANIEL’S  father  had  the  New  England  idea 
that  a boy  ought  to  do  something  for  the 
suj)port  of  the  family.  Daniel  was  smart 
and  capable, — he  had  been  educated  at  a 
great  sacrilice, — he  ought  now  to  settle  down  on  some- 
thing that  would  put  money  into  the  family  coffers. 
His  father  was  now  a man  of  consequence,  and  he  ex- 
erted his  influence  to  obtain  for  his  son  the  clerkship 
of  the  court.  The  position  was  an  honorable  one,  it 
was  for  life,  and  had  attached  to  it  the  handsome 
salary  of  flfteen  hundred  dollars, — a great  sum  in 
those  days.  The  astonishment  of  the  family,  and  the 
indignation  of  the  father  was  great,  when  the  lad  an- 
nounced his  purpose  to  reject  the  glittering  prize.  He 
uttered  his  intentions  in  words  truly  Websterial : ‘‘I 

purpose  to  be  an  actor,  and  not  a register  of  other  men’s 
acts.”  “You  are  mad,  Daniel,”  said  the  old  man. 
“ The  profession  of  law  is  now  crowded.”  “ There  is 
room  enough  at  the  top,”  said  the  undaunted  boy. 
“The  lad  is  clean  daft,”  the  neighbors  said.  Study 
law  he  would,  and  he  commenced  a purpose.  He  soon 
learned  all  that  the  country  lawyers  could  teach  him, 
and  he  turned  his  face  towards  Boston.  Nobody  en- 
couraged him  or  aided  him,  but  he  was  a host  in  him- 
self. 


WEBSTER 8 AUDACITY. 


53 


XXYII. 

WEBSTER’S  AUDACITY. 

OYERNOR  GORE  was  the  leader  of  the  Bos- 
ton bar.  He  was  aristocratic,  distant,  and  a 
man  with  whom  few  would  venture  to  be 
familiar.  He  found  in  his  office  one  morning 
a young  man  waiting  for  him,  who  gave  the  name  of 
Webster.  He  had  no  letters  of  introduction  or  recom- 
mendation. He  was  tall,  slim,  and  spare,  with  a coun- 
tenance that  entitled  him  to  the  sobriquet  of  Black 
Dan.  His  uncle  Stark  told  him  that  he  ought  to  be  a 
soldier,  for  gunpowder  wouldn’ t hurt  his  complexion. 
He  addressed  the  genteel  advocate  with  a hearty  good 
morning,  announced  the  name  of  his  father,  gave  it  as 
his  opinion  that  Governor  Gore  was  one  of  the  Gama- 
liels of  the  law,  at  whose  feet  he  proposed  to  sit,  add- 
ing, “I  have  come  for  work,  and  not  for  play.”  He 
was  not  repulsed,  and  took  a seat  at  an  unoccupied 
desk.  He  was  evidently  not  welcome — nobody  paid 
him  any  attention,  and  alone  and  solitary  he  worked 
away.  One  day  Rufus  King  came  into  the  office.  He 
wsis  one  of  the  most  eminent  men  in  the  State.  He 
noticed  the  solitary  student,  and  entered  into  conver- 
sation with  him.  On  learning  his  name,  Mr.  King 
reached  out  his  hand,  saying  : “I’m  glad  to  know  you. 
Your  father  is  an  old  friend  of  mine.  I am  under 
heavy  obligations  to  him,  which  I shall  be  glad  to 
repay  to  his  son.  Come  and  see  me,  for  I can  help 
you.”  He  told  young  Webster  that  the  profession  of 
law  was  a noble  one,  and  if  he  was  industrious  and 
resolute  he  would  win.  He  gave  young  Webster  some 
excellent  advice,  and  retired.  That  was  a red-letter 


54 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


day  in  Daniel  Webster’s  history.  When  Mr.  Webster 
was  the  foremost  man  of  the  nation  he  said  the  cheery 
words  of  Mr.  King  had  followed  him  through  all  his 
life. 


xxyiii. 

WEBSTER  AT  THE  BAR. 

EBSTER’  S elocution  was  peculiar,  his  enunci- 
ation clear  and  distinct,  and  he  impressed 
the  jury  that  it  must  be  so,  that  it  could  not 
be  otherwise.  He  was  deferential  to  the 
court,  and  courteous  to  his  associates.  He  dressed  his 
person  with  as  much  care  as  he  dressed  his  thoughts. 
When  he  had  an  important  case,  he  arrayed  himself 
after  the  manner  of  George  James  Fox, — blue  coat  with 
brass  buttons  ; black  pants  and  buff  vest ; a turn-down 
collar  over  a white  cravat.  He  was  almost  omnipotent 
with  a jury,  and  his  brethren  used  to  say  that  he 
ought  not  to  plead  against  the  man  tried  for  his  life, 
for  he  would  be  sure  to  hang  him.  His  point  was  to 
win  a verdict.  If  lawful  means  would  not  do,  sharp 
practice  Avas  resorted  to. 

One  day  he  was  pitted  against  Choate.  Choate  had 
mesmerized  the  court,  the  jury,  and  the  spectators. 
Webster  knew  he  could  do  nothing  until  he  had 
broken  the  spell.  He  arose  and  denied  the  testimon3^ 
on  which  the  whole  case  turned.  Choate  was  aston- 
ished, and  appealed  to  the  court.  The  court  took  no 
minutes,  and  Webster  knew  it.  Choate  then  referred 
to  Mr,  Webster,  but  the  great  advocate  did  not  take 


WEBSTER  AT  THE  BAR. 


55 


the  evidence.  Choate  handed  to  Mr.  Webster  a large 
bundle  that  he  called  min-u-tes.  He  wrote  on  half  a 
sheet  of  letter-paper  on  one  side,  in  a hand  that  was  a 
cross  between  Sanscrit  and  a poor  imitation  of  a 
China  tea-chest.  Webster  seized  the  package  and  im- 
mediately began  to  distribute  it.  ‘‘Gentlemen  of  the 
jury,  would  you  like  to  examine  brother  Choate’ s min- 
utes ? Would  your  Honor  be  kind  enough  to  examine 
this  strange  medley  ?”  Before  Choate  knew  what  was 
going  on,  his  notes  were  scattered  beyond  recall,  amid 
the  roar  of  the  court-room.  Holding  up  one  of  these 
strange-looking  sheets,  he  said:  “Gentlemen  of  the 
jury,  what  does  this  paper  look  like  ? A Christian  hand- 
writing? No.  It  looks  like  a small  gridiron  struck 
by  lightning.  You  won’t  take  away  my  client’s  little 
property  on  any  such  testimony  as  this  !”  The  jury 
did  not. 

A crowd  was  in  the  court-room  one  day.  An  emi- 
nent Bostonian  was  on  trial  for  forgery.  Webster 
came  in  and  took  a seat  wuthin  the  bar.  He  heard  the 
indictment  read,  and  a i)art  of  the  government’s  testi- 
mony. He  walked  over  to  the  dock  and  said’  to  the 
prisoner:  “ Retain  me.”  “I  cannot,  for  I have  no 
money.”  “ITou  need  no  money.  You  gave  me  a 
thousand  dollars  when  I was  in  trouble,  and  that  stands 
to  your  credit.”  The  trial  went  on,  and  the  case  was 
turned’ over  to  the  defense.  Webster’s  practiced  ear 
detected  a variation  as  he  sat  in  the  room.  He  moved 
that  the  indictment  be  quashed.  The  bill  laid  the  crime 
in  one  county,  while  the  proof  showed  if  it  was  com- 
mitted at  all  it  was  committed  in  another.  “A  fatal 
variation,”  said  Mr.  Webster  as  he  sat  down,  and  so  the 
court  ruled.  The  dock  flew  open  and  the  prisoner, 
after  shaking  hands  with  his  astute  counsel,  walked 
forth  free. 

Webster  came  prominently  to  the  front  in  the  great 


56 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Dartmouth  suit.  A powerful  State  was  pitted  against 
a poor  college.  The  case  was  a desperate  one,  and  the 
brief  was  given  to  Webster  because  the  college  was 
poor.  Judge  Marshall  was  on  the  bench,  and  the 
ablest  lawyers  of  the  land  were  opposing  counsel. 
Webster  was  young,  unknown  to  fame,  and  had  no 
precedents  to  guide  him.  His  forlorn  case  attracted 
the  sympathies  of  the  court  as  he  arose  to  make  his 
plea.  He  arose  to  plead,  an  unknown  barrister.  He 
sat  down  having  placed  himself  among  the  foremost 
forensic  advocates  of  the  age,  leaving  bench  and  bar  in 
tears.  He  laid  down  the  principles  of  law  which  have 
guided  the  courts  to  this  hour ; yet  the  governor  of 
New  Hampshire  refused  to  appoint  him  attorney- 
general,  saying:  ‘‘Mr.  Webster  does  not  know  law 
enough.” 


XXIX. 

WEBSTER’S  MONEY  MATTERS. 

R.  WEBSTER  was  dragged  from  his  law 
office,  where  a fortune  awaited  him,  and 
against  his  will  was  sent  to  Congress’  One 
Saturday  he  sat  in  his  office,  in  Boston,  and 
some  eminent  men  called  on  him  and  said  that  he 
would  be  elected  to  Congress  next  Monday.  They 
promised  to  take  care  of  his  money  matters  in  view  of 
the  sacrifices  he  would  make.  Had  he  stuck  to  the  law 
and  let  politics  alone,  he  never  would  have  wanted 
mone}^  His  salary  never  paid  his  expenses,  much  less 
did  it  sustain  the  style  he  was  bound  to  maintain.  His 
devotion  to  his  country  embarrassed  him,  and  his  ene- 


WEBSTER’S  HABITS. 


57 


mies  taunted  him  with  not  paying  his  debts.  One 
editor  was  especially  insulting.  Mr.  Webster  wrote  him 
a letter  : ‘‘  I do  not  always  pay  my  debts,  because  peo- 
ple do  not  pay  me.  If  I had  been  less  lenient  and 
more  exacting  I should  have  more  money.  As  a proof 
I enclose  you  a note  for  five  hundred  dollars  that  I 
loaned  your  father  to  pay  for  your  education.’’  A 
man  held  a note  against  him.  Mr.  Webster  was  Secre- 
tary of  State,  and  the  creditor  thought  he  must  have 
a good  deal  of  money.  He  took  a trip  to  Washington, 
and  Avhen  he  came  back  told  his  friends  the  note  was 
paid.  “I  will  tell  you  all  about  it.  I called  at  Mr. 
Webster’s  house;  he  met  me  at  the  door,  said  I was 
the  son  of  his  oldest  and  best  friend,  and  asked  me  to- 
dine  with  him.  We  talked  about  Hew  Hamspliire 
people,  and  I never  passed  so  pleasant  an  evening  in 
my  life.  Not  a word  was  said  about  money.  I went 
to  my  hotel,  tucked  the  note  under  the  grate — satisfied 
that  I had  got  my  rxioney’s  worth.” 


XXX. 

WEBSTER’S  HABITS. 

T his  great  ovation  on  Boston  Common,  given 
him  just  before  he  died,  Webster  said : 
‘‘Work  has  made  me  what  I am.  I never 
ate  a bit  of  idle  bread  in  my  life.”  To  an 
unreasonable  teacher,  he  said  : “ My  industry  can 
make  me  great ; no  punishment  can.”  At  sixty,  as  he 
looked  over  the  old  Fryburgh  record,  he  said:  “The 
ache  is  not  yet  out  of  my  fingers.”  He  wrote  much. 


58 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


and  mainly  in  the  morning.  He  wrote  a small  delicate 
hand,  and  with  difficulty.  He  was  Puritan  in  taste 
and  religion.  His  name  was  on  the  old  Salsbury  Church 
books  when  he  died,  where  he  put  it  when  a young  man. 
He  took  all  his  grand  Marshfield  company  on  Sunday 
to  a little  Orthodox  church  that  he  attended.  He  was 
an  attentive  and  considerate  hearer,  always  thanked 
the  minister  for  his  sermon,  and  sent  him  presents 
from  his  table.  He  left  the  Brattle  Square  Church, 
when  Palfrey  preached,  because  the  preaching  was  like 
throwing  shot  on  shingles.  He  declined  to  discuss  the 
Trinity  with  a politician,  saying:  “You  and  I know 
very  little  about  the  mathematics  of  Heaven.”  To  Dr. 
Codman  he  said  : “You  will  find  me  no  half-day 
hearer  on  Sunday.”  He  summed  up  his  faith  on  his 
dying  coach,  b}^  saying : “ Heavenly  Father,  forgive 
my  sins,  and  welcome  me  to  Thyself,  through  Jesus 
Christ.” 


XXXI. 


FOHCES  THAT  WIK 


EX  of  mark  have  few  advantages  over  others. 
Successful  men  seldom  follow  the  trade  of 
their  sires.  It  is  seldom  wise  for  a man  to 
preach  because  his  father  is  a minister,  or 
to  be  a lawyer  because  his  father  is  eminent  at  the  bar, 
or  to  take  a diploma  as  a doctor  because  his  father  is  a 
surgeon.  If  a boy  has  no  taste  for  the  profession  of 
his  father,  and  declines  to  follow  it,  his  very  independ- 
ence augtirs  success.  The  history  of  business  men 


FORGES  THAT  WIN. 


59 


shows  how  little  they  are  indebted  to  their  relatives 
for  their  eminence.  Shakspeare  was  the  son  of  a 
butcher.  The  father  of  Florence,  the  painter,  was  a 
custom-house  officer.  Gray,  the  poet,  was  brought 
as  a notary.  Beattie  worked  on  a farm.  Tom  Moore 
was  apprenticed  to  a grocer.  Rembrandt  worked  in  a 
mill,  the  sides  of  which  he  covered  with  etchings  and 
drawings.  Whitfield  displayed  his  marvelous  oratory 
while  dealing  out  beer  for  his  father’ s customers.  Bun- 
yan  was  brought  up  in  a tavern,  a profane  and  ungodly 
youth.  Massilon  was  the  son  of  a turner.  The  father 
of  Romilly  the  great  lawyer,  was  a watchmaker. 
Ben  Jonson  was  the  son  of  a stone-mason. 

Men  win  who  leave  their  trademark  on  their  call- 
ing. The  great  mass  of  men  are  common  men.  People 
are  content  to  be  third  or  second  class.  They  drift 
down  the  current  and  pass  out  of  sight,  and  are  re- 
membered no  more.  Out  of  the  thousands  of  lawyers 
in  America,  a dozen  alone  are  competent  to  try  an 
important  case.  JN'ot  ten  names  in  ten  thousand  spring 
to  the  lip  as  ijresidential  candidates.  Were  the  office 
of  chief  justice  vacant,  not  live  names  in  five  hundred 
would  in  the  popular  judgment  be  connected  with  the 
vacant  seat.  Theological  schools  turn  out  men  in 
shoals,  as  uniform  as  bullets  run  in  the  same  mould, 
or  peas  in  the  same  pod.  Star  preachers  are  as  rare  as 
comets.  One  or  two  in  London,  one  or  two  in  America 
— that’s  all.  Few  are  happy  in  their  work.  Each  man 
knows  where  the  harness  chafes.  The  great  mass  of 
business  men  wish  they  had  some  other  trade.  Stewart, 
worth  forty  millions,  thought  if  he  had  been  a real 
estate  trader  he  would  have  made  money. 

Men  of  Fame  are  usually  men  of  excellence  in 
some  particular  thing.  Drew  was  a financier  when  he 


60 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


was  a cattle-driver.  Vanderbilt  led  all  the  boatmen  on 
Staten  Island.  Lincoln  was  head  and  shoulders  above 
the  Mississippi  raftsmen  when  he  was  a boy.  Nine- 
tenths  of  Power’s  statuary  can  be  chiseled  by  an  ordin- 
ary stone-cutter.  The  other  tenth  gives  the  statue  its 
value.  A pious  but  inefficient  man  will  fail.  Men 
must  have  grit  as  well  as  grace  to  succeed.  Often  men 
become  a success  by  changing  their  callings.  Ministers 
fail  in  the  pulxut  and  make  a success  at  teaching. 
Poor  sticks  in  the  law  often  turn  out  efficient  railroad 
men.  Gerard  was  an  ordinary  coasting  captain  at  forty 
and  died  a first-class  banker.  Walter  Scott  did  nothing 
till  he  was  past  middle  life.  Lamphire,  who  founded 
the  Fulton  street  prayer-meeting,  and  whose  name  is 
known  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  failed  in  everything 
he  undertook  till  he  was  nearly  fifty.  Dr.  Alexander 
and  Dr.  Kirke  were  friends  in  college.  They  were  fast 
boys  ; Alexander  was  great  at  billiards,  and  Kirke  was 
a tippler.  Had  they  kept  on  they  would  have  both 
been  vagrants.  Dr.  Carey  when  a boy  was  very  plucky. 
In  attempting  to  climb  an  apple  tree  he  fell  and  broke 
his  leg.  The  first  thing  he  did  when  he  got  out  was  to 
climb  that  tree.  The  key-note  of  his  life  was  to  over- 
come difficulties,  and  he  became  the  great  missionary 
of  the  age. 

Lord  Eldon,  a poor  lawyer,  was  regarded  as  a 
plodding  advocate.  He  asked  of  the  Premier  a small 
office.  He  received  the  gruff  reply:  “I  will  not  give 
you  an  office,  Eldon.  You  are  indolent,  and  will  not 
work  if  you  can  help  it ; you  must  dig  for  yourself.” 
Long  afterward,  when  plain  John  Scott  wrote  himself 
Lord  Eldon,  he  told  his  friends  : Had  I gone  into  the 
custom-house  I should  never  have  been  Lord  Chan- 
cellor.” 


FORCES  THAT  WIN. 


61 


Lord  Thurlow  was  proud  of  his  early  poverty  and 
obscurity.  When  Chancellor  of  Britain  a flatterer  said 
to  him:  ‘Won  descended  from  Thurlow  who  was 
secretary  to  Cromwell.”  “No  sir.  No  sir.  There 
were  two  Thurlows.  One  was  secretary.  One  was  a 
carter.  I descended  from  the  carter.” 

DiJNiN'mG,  the  great  advocate,  tells  his  own  story : “ I 
selected  the  law  with  small  hope  of  success.  I had  no 
patron,  no  friend,  no  money.  I worked  like  a galley 
slave.  I ate  at  a cheap  tavern  at  seven  pence  a day. 
I slept  on  the  bunks  at  night.  I kept  up  my  studies 
as  if  I was  in  full  practice.  I read  everything,  copied 
everything,  and  attended  all  the  great  trials.  I was 
ready  for  the  first  brief  that  came  into  my  hand.” 

Wambell,  the  great  painter,  was  distinguished  for 
his  generosity.  He  took  down  his  own  picture  at  the 
academy,  and  put  in  its  place  the  t>ainting  of  a promis- 
ing young  artist  who  had  oftended  the  management. 
A young  painter  struggled  a year  for  a prize.  His 
picture  was  hung  by  the  side  of  Wambell’ s,  and  its 
merits  were  hid  by  the  extraordinary  brilliancy  of  the 
great  artist’s  picture.  Wambell  passed  a night  in 
blackening  the  sky,  and  dimming  the  beauty  of  his 
own  work,  to  give  the  young  man  a chance. 

Hetermixation  is  often  a good  business  capital. 
A box  of  pills,  a little  ointment,  a plaster,  or  a lotion, 
is  as  good  a capital  to  start  with,  as  bonds,  stocks  or 
real  estate.  A bottle  of  blacking  and  elbow-grease  has 
made  the  fortune  of  more  than  one  man.  Holloway 
had  a pill,  and  he  told  all  the  world  what  it  was  worth. 
He  put  it  in  the  London  exhibition,  spent  a hundred 
thousand  dollars  to  advertise  it,  and  made  a fortune. 
Schenck  fretted  the  world  with  his  mandrake  pills. 


63 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Sea-weed  tonic,  balm  of  Gilead,  and  kindred  medicines 
are  known  wherever  the  English  language  is  spoken. 
The  well-known  preacher  had  a knack  of  turning  his 
hand  at  anything.  He  shod  his  own  horse  one  day  in 
the  absence  of  the  blacksmith.  As  he  was  winding  up 
his  work,  the  smith  arrived.  He  looked  at  the  job, 
and  said  : Young  man,  follow  horse-shoeing  and  you 
will  make  your  fortune.” 

Dr.  Jaynes  was  a quack  when  quackery  was  a 
stain.  He  was  read  out  of  the  medical  society — threw 
himself  on  the  public — flung  away  a fortune  in  adver- 
tising, and  became  a millionaire.  A young  man  stood 
by  the  side  of  a farmer  and  asked  the  man  for  his 
daughter  in  marriage.  All  the  while  the  young  man 
was  whittling  vigorously  at  a stick,  and  shaped  out  of 
it  a very  respectable  fork.  ‘'You  may  have  the  girl,” 
the  old  said,  “because  you  have  made  something  out 
of  your  whittling.”  There  is  a spool  of  thread  that 
leads  the  market,  a style  of  needle  that  no  lady  will  be 
without,  a stove  polish  and  baking  powder  that  Bridget 
demands. 


XXXII. 

START  OF  SOME  FOLKS. 

IR  JOSHUA  REYNOLDS  when  a young 
man  resolved  to  found  a school  of  his  own. 
Hudson,  who  taught  him  to  paint,  aided 
him  to  visit  Rome.  On  his  return  he  set  iij) 
his  easel  in  Martin’s  lane,  and  alarmed  the  profession 


START  OF  SOME  FOLKS. 


6S 


by  Ills  heresy.  His  friends  crowded  his  studio,  ex- 
claiming : ‘‘You  are  ruined — this  will  never  do.  You 
don’t  paint  as  well  as  when  you  left  England.”  Rey- 
nolds was  unmoved,  kept  steadily  on  his  course,  and 
put  himself  at  the  head  of  the  profession. 

Hogarth  was  a poor  man’s  son.  He  sketched  al- 
most from  his  cradle.  He  sketched  with  charcoal  on 
barn-doors,  fences,  and  sides  of  the  wagon,  inimxitable 
caricatures.  He  formed  a run-away  match  with  Sir 
James  Thornhill’s  daughter;  he  was  turned  out  of 
doors  and  left  to  starve.  Sir  James  saw  on  his  break- 
fast table  one  morning  some  etchings  of  a very  re- 
markable character.  He  found  in  the  artist  the  person 
of  his  poor  son-in-law.  He  was  so  struck  with  his 
genius  that  he  forgave  him  on  the  spot. 

An  accident  made  Wilson  a great  landscape 
painter.  While  in  Rome  he  was  sent  on  an  errand  to 
the  studio  of  an  artist.  Waiting  for  the  painter,  to  be- 
guile the  time,  he  sketched  on  a rough  j)iece  of  paper 
the  scene  he  saw  through  the  window.  The  j)ainter 
entered  and  caught  him  at  his  work.  “Have  you 
studied  landscape  painting,  young  man?”  “ Yo  sir.” 
“Then  I advise  you  to  begin  ; you  are  sure  to  succeed.” 
And  he  did. 

No  punishment  could  keep  Gainsborough  at  his 
studies  in  school.  He  was  fascinated  with  the  beautiful 
woods  of  Suffolk.  He  i)layed  truant  that  he  might 
ramble  in  the  groves,  and  forged  notes  of  excuse  to  get 
a holiday  that  he  might  pass  the  day  in  sketching. 

Benjamin  West  had  a romantic  career.  His 
parents  were  Quakers,  and  pictures  and  paintings  were 
denied  him.  It  is  said  he  never  looked  upon  a paint- 
ing or  an  engraving  till  he  drew  the  picture  of  his 


64 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


little  sister  in  the  cradle.  The  prejudice  of  his  parents 
against  the  trifling  art  was  unyielding.  He  drew  from 
his  infancy.  A band  of  wandering  Indians  taught  him 
to  mix  rude  colors.  A favorite  cat  furnished  him  with 
pencils,  and  soot  from  the  chimney  was  his  earliest 
paint.  JSTo  censure  and  no  frowns  from  the  Meeting  or 
the  family  deterred  him.  The  lad  seemed  to  act  under 
a kind  of  inspiration.  The  elders  were  afraid  to  op- 
pose the  boy.  A public  meeting  was  called  to  see 
what  should  be  done  with  the  strange  child. 

The  result  of  the  meeting  is  thus  given.-  ‘‘  To  John 
West  and  Sarah  Pierson,  a man-child  has  been  born, 
on  whom  God  has  conferred  some  remarkable  gifts ; 
something  amounting  to  inspiration ; and  the  youth 
has  been  induced  to  study  painting.  Such  rare  gifts 
cannot  but  be  for  a wise  and  good  purpose.  The 
Divine  Hand  is  in  this.  W e shall  do  well  to  encour- 
age this  youth.”  The  scene  that  followed  this  de- 
claration was  an  extraordinary  one,  and  its  influence 
followed  West  through  all  his  life.  The  lad  was 
called  in  to  the  Meeting.  His  mother  stood  on  one 
side,  his  father  on  the  other.  The  society  surrounded 
the  three.  The  famous  John  Williamson  spoke  for 
the  community : “This  genius  is  given  by  God  for 
some  high  purpose.  He  hath  in  this  remote  wilder- 
ness endowed  with  the  rich  gifts  of  a superior  spirit 
this  youth.  He  hath  our  consent  to  cultivate  his 
talents  for  art.”  The  Quaker  women  kissed  the  young 
artist  as  they  passed  round.  The  Quaker  men  placed 
their  hands  in  benediction  on  his  young  head,  and 
thus,  by  the  holiest  of  ordinations,  he  was  set  apart  a 
painter. 

WooLCOT,  better  known  as  Peter  Pindar,  was  a 
physician  at  Truro.  He  took  a boy  into  his  service  to 
run  errands,  clean  knifes,  and  do  the  drudgery  of  the 


START  OF  SOME  FOLKS. 


65 


office.  He  was  sent  daily  to  the  butcher’s  for  dog’s 
meat,  and  took  more  time  than  the  vigilant  doctor 
thought  needful.  He  went  after  the  drudge  and 
caught  him  painting  the  butcher’s  x)ortrait.  Woolcot, 
instead  of  caning  the  boy,  expressed  his  delight  at  the 
picture,  and  ordered  him  to  paint  a portrait  of  himself. 
He  was  even  more  successful  with  the  doctor’s  than 
with  the  butcher’s.  He  advised  the  boy  to  study  paint- 
ing, gave  him  means  to  become  an  artist,  and  aided 
materially  in  placing  the  name  Opie  among  the  great 
painters  of  England. 

Barky,  the  painter,  was  an  Irishman,  friendless  and 
nearly  destitute.  He  worked  years  in  obscurity,  and 
at  last  obtained  assistance  to  place  a painting  on  ex- 
hibition. The  picture  was  founded  on  an  old  tradition 
of  the  baptism  of  King  Cashell.  The  work  was  uni- 
versally admired,  and  a demand  made  for  the  author. 
He  came  toward,  so  poorly  clad  and  forlorn  in  look 
that  his  claim  was  derided.  To  hide  his  emotions,  he 
attempted  to  leave  the  room.  Burke  arrested  him,  in- 
quired into  his  situation,  furnished  him  money  to 
visit  Borne,  and  thus  laid  the  foundation  for  his  great 
reputation. 

Wedgewood,  the  son  of  a potter,  was  destined  to 
the  rugged  trade  of  his  father.  He  was  lame,  and  at 
best  could  only  be  a thrower  of  clay.  He  lost  his  leg, 
and  with  it  his  rough  employment.  He  was  a resolute 
lad,  and  resolved  in  some  way  to  earn  his  bread.  He 
turned  his  studies  to  some  practical  account.  He  pos- 
sessed the  gift  of  imitation,  and  turned  rough  clay  into 
the  resemblance  of  agate  and  jasper.  He  studied 
chemistry,  and  by  its  aid  he  produced  metallic  clay 
that  made  elegant  knife-handles,  boxes,  and  mantel 
ornaments.  He  invented  the  yellow  ware  known  as 
5 


66 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Queen’s  ware,  which  became  the  rage.  Queen  Char- 
lotte patronized  him,  and  permitted  him  to  write  over 
his  factory  the  cabalistic  words,  ‘‘Potter  to  her  Maj- 
esty.” Court  favors  did  not  turn  his  head.  He  kept 
perseveringly  and  persistently  at  work.  • He  discovered 
and  purchased  a bed  of  porcelain  clay  in  Cornwall,  out 
of  which  he  made  the  finest  china  ware.  He  imitated 
cameos,  antique  vases,  and  other  works  of  art,  and  be- 
came the  most  famous  man,  in  his  line,  in  the  world. 
A poor  lad,  a cripple,  without  education,  money,  or 
friends,  turned  his  very  misfortunes  into-  elements  of 
success,  and  by  industry,  integrity,  and  genius,  ifiaced 
his  name  among  the  most  honored  of  his  nation. 

A You^g  Mechanic  passed  to  his  work  daily  over 
X/ondon  Bridge.  Occasionally  he  tossed  a penny  to  a 
beggar  who  held  his  seat  towards  the  end  of  the  bridge 
in  sunshine  and  in  storm.  One  day  the  mendicant 
stopped  the  mechanic,  and  said  to  him:  “I’m  going 
into  the  country.  You  have  been  kind  to  me,  and  I 
want  to  make  you  a present.  There  is  a fortune  in  this 
little  piece  of  paper.  I am  an  old  Waterloo  soldier, 
and  I got  the  paper  in  the  army.  Follow  the  instruc- 
tions faithfully,  and  you  will  be  rich.”  That  paper 
was  the  original  receipt  for  Day  & Martin’ s blacking. 

Young  Hiciiakdson,  of  the  house  of  Heynolds  & 
Co.,  has  proved  himself  one  of  our  most  prosperous 
young  business  men.  Besides  possessing  very  rare 
business  qualities  as  a salesman,  he  has  certain  traits 
that  make  him  of  great  value  to  any  paint  house.  He 
is  a superb  judge  of  colors.  He  has  a sort  of  intuition 
in  deciding  on  the  purity  of  lead  before  it  is  mixed. 
This  talent,  with  rare  capacity,  forecasted  his  success 
from  the  start.  Burns,  in  the  blackest  hour  of  his  ob- 
scurity and  poverty,  caught  a glimpse  of  coming 


START  OF  SOME  FOLKS. 


G7 


honor.  He  said,  ‘‘I  shall  be  eminent  as  Thomas 
a Kempis  or  John  Banyan.  My  birthday  shall  be  in- 
scribed in  the  Aberdeen  Almanac,  with  Black  Monday 
and  the  Battle  of  Both  well’s  Bridge.” 

Stephenson, — ‘‘Uncle  John,”  as  he  is  called, — is 
the  great  car-builder  of  the  world.  He  was  a wagon- 
maker,  and  located  his  shop  near  the  omnibus  stables, 
when  this  method  of  locomotion  was  new.  Stephen- 
son thought  he  could  make  an  omnibus  as  well  as  a 
wagon.  When  the  street  cars  were  introduced,  the 
Harlem  road  gave  the  young  mechanic  the  job  to 
make  street  cars.  He  worked  till  he  got  the  monopoly 
of  the  business,  building  a better  car  at  a lower  price 
than  any  other  maker.  London  and  Liverpool  can  get 
better  and  cheaper  cars  in  New  York  than  at  home. 
Stephenson’s  cars  are  running  to-day  in  St.  Petersburg 
and  Berlin  ; in  Austria  and  Australia  ; in  London  and 
Bombay  ; in  Canada  and  South  America. 

The  most  popular  restaurant  in  Paris  is  that  of 
Duvals.  He  was  a butcher,  and  quite  a genius  in  his 
line.  He  proposed  a restaurant  near  the  Tuilleries. 
He  fitted  up  an  eating  house  in  elegant  style,  and 
adorned  the  rooms  with  mirrors,  paintings,  and  fres- 
coes. First-class  viands  are  offered  at  a low  cost.  The 
principle  has  earned  a fortune  for  the  proprietor. 

Dr.  S.  I.  Prime  has  made  a fortune  out  of  The 
Ohsermr  and  Ilarpef  s “ Drawer.”  He  adroitly 
created  a local  interest  for  the  “Drawer”  in  a hun- 
dred towns.  He  located  the 'old  jokes,  puns,  proverbs, 
Joe  Millers,  and  old  saws  in  Wisconsin,  Illinois,  Maine 
and  Missouri.  Like  a thief  back  from  transportation 
these  old  puns  wore  a new  dress  but  had  the  same  old 
face.  They  answered  their  end  and  made  a very  read- 
able monthly  column. 


68 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


U^^CLE  Tom’s  CAsm  was  begun  in  Mrs.  Stowe’s 
kitchen  when  the  authoress  was  poor  enough.  The 
closing  pages  were  written  in  the  publisher’s  store  in 
Boston.  It  was  a biting  cold  morning.  Her  calico 
dress  was  not  worth  sixpence  a yard  ; her  straw  hat 
and  trimmings  would  have  been  dear  at  fifty  cents. 
She  stood  a half  hour  over  the  stove  before  she  was 
limber  enough  to  work.  She  was  writing  for  bread. 
In  three  months  it  gave  her  a check  for  ten  thousand 
dollars. 

One  of  my  Schoolmates  was  a rich  man’s  son. 
He  had  more  pocket-money  in  a week  than  I ever 
handled  in  my  life.  He  had  every  conceivable  luxury. 
Penknives,  jewelry,  gold  watch  and  diamonds.  He  is 
now  a conductor  on  one  of  tlie  street  cars  in  ISTew  York. 
A young  man  proposed  to  give  up  business.  He  asked 
his  landlord  to  take  the  lease  off  his  hands.  I have 
lost  my  money  and  I am  going  elsewhere.”  ‘‘  When  I 
lose  my  money  I look  for  it  where  I lost  it,”  the  land- 
k)rd  quietly  replied.  The  young  man  took  the  hint 
and  became  rich. 

Dore  was  wayward  and  indolent  as  a boy.  He 
would  not  paint,  but  roamed  through  the  hospitals 
watching  the  sick  and  dying.  To  the  disgust  of  his 
friends,  instead  of  studying  painting,  he  studied  anat- 
omy. When  he  became  eminent  it  was  found  that  he 
was  studying  when  people  thought  he  was  idling.  He 
studied  anatomy  that  he  might  be  perfect  in  his  know- 
ledge of  the  human  form.  He  studied  faces  flushed 
with  despair,  revenge,  remorse  and  ecstacy,  and  so  made 
himself  the  great  master  of  human  passions  that  he  is. 


VANDEBBILT^S  BOYHOOD. 


69 


XXXIIL 

YAXDERBILT’S  BOYHOOD. 

AXDEBBILT  at  eighty  was  a match  for  the 
whole  street.  He  dressed  like  a college  pro- 
fessor, or  a well-endowed  clergyman,  whose 
salary  was  promptly  paid.  His  necktie  was 
snowy,  like  his  hair.  He  was  tall,  slim  and  as  linely- 
proportioned  as  a Mohawk  warrior.  He  lived  in  a 
down-town  mansion,  roomy  and  full  of  comfort,  after 
the  order  of  the  old  Knickerbockers.  His  style  of  busi- 
ness was  peculiar.  He  opened  his  letters,  dictated  his 
answers  on  the  margin,  spent  an  hour  in  regulating 
affairs  that  required  a million  to  move  them,  and  then 
turned  to  his  stables.  His  office  was  a plain  unpre- 
tending room,  and  his  style  of  life  very  simple.  Xo 
hot  rebellious  liquors  consumed  his  blood.  His  meals 
were  light  and  frugal.  A man  worth  eighty  millions 
can  go  to  bed  Avhen  he  chooses.  Xo  matter  who  was 
present,  when  bed-time  came  he  took  his  candle  and 
bade  the  company  good-night.  He  was  an  attentive 
listener  to  a man  who  had  anything  to  say.  He  usually 
stood  with  his  hands  in  his  pockets  when  one  was  talk- 
ing to  him,  or  if  he  sat,  one  foot  rested  on  a table,  and 
a nervous  twitch  indicated  when  he  was  annoyed.  He 
had  a knack  of  bowing  people  out  when  he  was  through 
with  them. 

As  a lad  he  was  athletic,  energetic  and  daring.  He 
could’ row  farther  and  row  better  than  any  boy  in  the 
State.  If  any  extraordinary  thing  was  to  be  done  by 
the  boatmen,  ‘‘Cornele”  was  expected  to  do  it. 
Crowds  watched  him  from  Battery,  as  he  rowed  in  a 
gale  through  Buttermilk  channel,  to  put  six  men  on  a 


70 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


ship.  In  a terrilic  snow-storm  a boat  was  lost.  “ Cor- 
nele”  started  out  alone,  and  guided  the  bewildered 
rowers  to  the  shore.  A violent  gale  raged,  during 
which  a ship  went  ashore  on  the  Hook.  The  under- 
writers spent  three  days  in  the  vain  effort  to  find  some 
one  who  would  go  down  to  the  vessel.  On  third  day  a 
bulletin  was  nailed  on  the  Battery,  announcing  that 
‘‘Cornele”  Vanderbilt  would  start  for  the  Hook  at 
twelve  noon.  A banker  called  for  him.  A young  fel- 
low bronzed  by  the  sea,  his  pants  in  his  boots,  coat  off, 
collar  thrown  back  and  no  cravat,  with  a face  indicat- 
ing daring  and  strength,  responded.  ‘‘Ho  you  think 
you  can  reach  the  Hook,  young  man “I  will  never 
come  back  unless  I do.”  “ Our  bank  has  forty  thou- 
sand dollars  on  board  that  ship.  Bring  it  up.  WeTl 
pay  you  well  for  it.”  At  midnight  the  cashier  was 
aroused  from  his  slumber,  and  the  money  was  safe  in 
the  bank  vault.  The  young  boatman  got  fifteen  hun- 
dred dollars  for  his  night’s  work.  He  said  afterward  : 
“ If  I had  known  as  much  as  I know  now,  I would 
have  half  of  that  forty  thousand  dollars  as  salvage.” 


XXXIY. 

VANDERBILT’S  GRIT. 

T is  a common  belief  that  when  the-  Gen. 
Jackson  blew  up  on  the  North  River  Van- 
derbilt jumped  ashore  exclaiming : “Wasn’t 
I a lucky  dog?”  I heard  Vanderbilt  deny 
that  he  uttered  those  words,  and  in  addition  he  said : 


VANBERBILT^S  GRIT. 


71 


‘‘he  was  not  in  command  of  the  Jackson  at  the  time.” 
Yet  lucky  he  was.  He  had  the  luck  that  a,ttends  a 
brave,  resolute  man,  who  is  on  the  outlook  for  oppor- 
tunities. A man  was  detained  at  Staten  Island  by  a 
storm.  He  offered  a handsome  sum  to  any  one  who 
w'ould  row  him  to  the  city.  The  boatmen  shook  their 
heads  and  declined  the  hazardous  service.  “Cornele 
Vanderbilt  can  row  you  if  any  one  can.  YouTl  tind  him 
at  the  store.”  Negotiations  were  opened  after  this 
manner  : “I  want  to  go  to  New  York.”  “ Why  don’t 
you  go,  if  you  want  to?”  “Can  you  row  me  to  the 

city  ?”  “Yes,  or  to  h if  you  want  to  go.”  A few 

terse  orders  were  given  : “Lay  dowm  ffat  in  the  boat, 
don’ t speak  or  stir ; if  you  do  1’  11  crack  your  skull  with 
the  oar,”  and  the  boat  pushed  off  into  the  darkness 
and  the  temj^est.  Some  months  afterwards  a capitalist 
proposed  to  run  an  opposition  steamboat.  His  son 
was  the  passenger  whom  Vanderbilt  rowed  to  the  Bat- 
tery. He  said  to  his  father:  “If  you  want  a daring 
captain,  send  for  Cornele  Vanderbilt.”  An  interview 
was  sought.  Vanderbilt  was  asked  : “ Would  you  like 
to  command  a steamboat  to  run  against  a great  mo- 
nopoly ?”  “I  would  like  nothing  better.’ ’ ‘ ‘ Can  you 

obey  orders?”  “I  can.”  “If  I should  order  you  to 
run  into  a rival  boat,  what  would  you  do?”  “Run 

into  her,  by  G .”  He  became  a terror  to  steamboat 

men.  Combinations  were  formed  to  to  run  him  off  the 
course,  but  they  were  all  in  vain.  His  employer  was 
unreasonable  and  almost  brutal.  One  day  Vanderbilt 
stepped  ashore — told  the  owner  of  the  boat  to  go  to  the 
dogs — assured  him  that  he  would  have  a boat  of  his 
own,  and  would  run  the  moneyed  man  off  from  the 
river, — a threat  he  lived  to  carry  out. 

The  commodore  ran  a boat  from  Elizabeth  to  New 
York.  Something  gave  way  one  morning.  The  engi- 
neer said  the  crank  was  broken.  The  owner,  who  was 


72 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


on  board  with  some  friends,  started  for  the  city  in  a 
wagon,  and  invited  Vanderbilt  to  join  the  comi)any. 
He  refused  to  do  so,  and  remained  with  the  boat.  He 
went  below^  to  see  wdiat  was  the  mattel'.  In  thirty 
minutes  things  were  put  to  rights  and  the  boat  headed 
for  the  Battery.  She  Avas  half  unloaded  before  the 
owner  reached  the  city. 

Vanderbilt  bought  a house  up  town  with  all  the 
furniture  and  elfects.  He  found  a lot  of  railroad  bonds 
in  an  old  desk.  He  thought  they  w^ere  worth  keeping, 
and  put  them  into  his  safe.  The  astonished  company 
were  notified  to  pay  uj).  The  bankrupt  company 
laughed  at  the  request.  The  corporation  found  they 
had  to  deal  with  a man  avIio  was  not  to  be  fooled  with. 
A compromise  was  effected,  and  the  lucky  buyer  se- 
cured a golden  harvest. 

A young  man  Avas  put  on  one  of  the  Staten  Island 
boats  as  a ticket-taker.  His  orders  were,  to  start  on 
time,  wait  for  no  one,  and  alloAv  no  one  to  ride  free. 
The  next  morning  he  left  the  commodore  on  the  dock, 
walking  leisurely  towards  the  boat.  He  Avas  sur- 
rounded by  friends  aaTio  kneAv  the  lines  Avould  not  be 
cast  off  till  the  commodore  was  aboard.  The  lines 
were  cast  off  exactly  on  the  minute,  and  the  oAvner  had 
the  pleasure  of  Availing  for  the  next  boat.  The  auda- 
cious ticket- taker  said  Avhen  he  met  the  commodore : 
‘‘  Modify  your  rules,  if  you  don’t  Avant  to  be  left.” 

An  English  friend  wanted  me  to  call  on  the  com- 
modore and  make  inquiry  about  a steering  apparatus. 
I found  him  in  his  little  office  walking  up  and  down 
with  his  hands  in  his  pockets.  He  came  to  a full  stop, 
looked  me  square  in  the  face,  but  said  nothing.  “Do 

you  knoAv  Mr.  “Yes.”  “ HaA^e  you  his 

steering  apparatus  on  your  steamship?”  “Yes.” 
“ What  is  it  worth  ?”  “ It  is  not  a worth  a d .” 


THE  COMMODORE'S  TRAITS. 


73 


XXXY. 

THE  COMMODORE’S  TRAITS. 

HE  commodore  was  a great  judge  of  men. 
He  knew  where  to  put  his  money,  and  when 
to  withdraw  it.  Months  before  one  of  the 
great  trust  companies  failed  Vanderbilt 
drew  his  money  out.  He  didn’t  like  the  looks  of 
things.  He  forecast  the  failure  of  Duncan,  Sherman 
& Co.  The  house  paid  too  much  for  deposits  to  be 
safe.  He  was  once  a very  heavy  depositor  in  the 
Bank  of  the  State  of  New  York.  He  thought  it  shaky 
when  everybody  thought  it  sound.  Some  one  asked 
him,  ‘‘What  are  your  rules  of  success T’  “I  keep 
my  own  counsel  and  can  change  as  often  as  I please. 
I never  buy  what  I can’t  pay  for,  and  never  sell  what  I 
have  not  got.”  Sharp  as  he  was,  he  was  cauglit  by 
the  Schuyler  frauds.  He  told  the  New  Haven  road  that 
he  would  yet  have  a hundred  cents  on  the  dollar,  and 
he  got  it.  Sloan,  of  the  Hudson  River  road,  snubbed 
Vanderbilt  one  day,  and  Vanderbilt  said:  “IMl  be 
your  master  yet.”  And  he  had  the  pleasure  of  hand- 
ing Sloan  his  walking  papers.  He  asked  Collins  to 
allow  his  steamer  to  take  the  place  of  a disabled 
boat  for  a single  trip.  Collins  thought,  if  Vanderbilt 
got  his  foot  in  he  would  get  in  his  whole  body,  and 
declined  the  proposal.  “I’ll  run  you  off  the  ocean,” 
said  the  enraged  commodore.  And  he  began  from 
that  moment  to  attack  the  subsidy.  He  did  not  relax 
his  efforts  till  Collins’  Ocean  Line  was  bankrupt. 

One  of  his  young  captains  was  a decided  Presbyte- 
rian. The  manager  ordered  him  to  fire  up  his  boat  to 
run  on  a Sunday  excursion.  He  refused  to  do  so,  and 


74 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


sent  in  liis  resignation.  Vanderbilt  met  the  captain  on 
Saturday,  and  invited  him  to  come  and  dine  with  him 
on  Sunday.  The  captain  said,  ‘‘I  have  got  through 
with  your  line,  and  am  going  home.”  He  told  the  com- 
modore his  story.  The  owner  exclaimed  impatiently  : 
“The  man’s  a fool — we  have  got  men  enough  whose 
principles  cannot  be  hurt  by  running  a Sunday  boat. 
Go  about  your  business ; if  anybody  meddles  with 
your  religion,  come  to  me.” 

Vanderbilt  was  very  proud  of  his  horses  and  of  his 
driving.  It  annoyed  him  to  have  any  one  go  by  him. 
It  was  a delicate  piece  of  flattery  to  let  the  old  man 
keep  ahead.  He  invited  an  old  Southern  merchant  to 
take  a ride  with  him.  He  drove  on  the  road  at  a 
break-neck  speed,  and  crossed  the  track  just  ahead  of 
the  express  train.  Commodore  exulted  in  the  feat, 
exclaiming:  “There  is  not  another  man  in  New  York 
could  do  that.”  “No,”  said  the  frightened  merchant, 
“ and  the  next  time  you  will  do  it  alone.” 

In  literary  matters,  Vanderbilt  was  not  much  to 
boast  of.  He  could  write  his  name,  and  that’s  about 
all.  His  name,  very  valuable  on  a check,  is  not  much 
to  look  at.  He  could  not  speak  the  letter  V,  and 
always  called  himself  Wanderbilt.  A new  clerk  in  the 
post-office  greatly  annoyed  him  by  looking  for  his  let- 
ters among  the  W’s.  “Don’t  look  am^ong  the  W’s; 
look  among  the  Wees,”  said  the  millionaire. 


LUCK  IK  BUSINESS. 


75 


xxxyi. 

LUCK  IN  BUSINESS. 

N ricli  and  poor — men  high  and  low — men 
wise  and  simple — have  faith  in  luck.  Every- 
thing that  some  men  touch  withers  ; they 
buy  when  they  should  sell  ; sell  when  they 
should  buy  ; and  are  always  on  the  eve  of  fortunes  and 
are  always  grasping  at  shadows.  It  was  the  rule  of 
the  Rothschilds  to  have  nothing  to  do  with  an  unlucky 
man  or  an  unlucky  house.  Many  are  born  to  bad  luck 
as  the  sparks  tly  upward  ! They  are  industrious, 
prudent,  and  even  religious,  but  never  succeed.  An- 
other class,  with  no  more  character  or  resolution  or 
sense,  move  right  on  to  fortune.  The  English  express 
it:  “If  an  unlucky  man  is  a hatter,  people  are  born 
without  heads  ; if  he  trades  in  winding-sheets,  nobody 
dies.” 

The  old  ship  Coxstitutiox  was  lucky  in  the  popu- 
lar esteem.  When  seamen  were  pressed  into  other  ves- 
sels, the  old  frigate  could  have  been  doubly  manned  by 
volunteers.  The  Scotia  was  a lucky  ship,  and  her 
berths  were  engaged  six  months  in  advance.  Another 
line  is  notoriously  unlucky.  If  a steamer  of  this  line 
sails,  the  fog  will  catch  her,  the  gale  will  be  in  her 
teeth,  she  will  run  on  to  an  iceberg,  if  there  is  a chance 
she  will  go  ashore,  if  nothing  else  hapi)ens — a man  will 
fall  overboard.  Some  men  will  stej^  oh  from  the  train 
just  before  a smash-up — run  in  vain  for  a steamboat 
that  blows  up — sell  just  before  the  stock  goes  down — 
and  remove  their  deposits  just  before  the  cashier  runs 
away  with  the  money. 


76 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Billy  Yan  Cott  is  a noted  horseman,  not  cele- 
brated for  any  more  religion  than  is  necessary  for  a 
reputable  horse  jockey.  He  never  trades  on  Sun- 
day ; he  believes  the  day  to  be  an  unlucy  one. 
Some  gentlemen  visited  his  stables  one  Sunday  to 
look  at  his  stock.  They  found  the  ]3roprietor  in 
his  clean  linen  sitting  outside  the  stables  smoking. 
In  answer  to  the  request  that  he  would  show  his 
trotting  stock  Billy  said,  “Come  to-morrow,  gentlemen, 
and  ITl  be  glad  to  wait  on  you.”  The  gentlemen 
could  not  come  to-morrow ; they  were  going  from  the 
city,  they  must  buy  then  or  not  at  all.  “ Then  I can’t 
trade  with  you,  gentlemen  ; I neither  buy  nor  sell 
on  Sunday.”  The  men  expressed  their  surprise  at 
finding  a horse-trader  so  scrupulous.  “Tin  not  re- 
ligious,” he  said,  “but  perhaps  you  would  call  me 
superstitious.  Once  all  days  were  alike.  I made  a 
good  trade  on  Sunday  when  I had  a chance,  but  I never 
prospered  ; I made  a great  trade  one  Sunday  and  on 
contract  put  the  horses  on  board  of  a steamer  before 
sundown.  The  vessel  was  wrecked  and  the  whole  was 
a total  loss.  I took  an  oath  that  I would  never  trade 
again  on  Sunday.  What  I can’ t do  in  six  days  I won’ t 
do  at  all.  What  little  money  I have  made  I have  made 
since  I formed  that  resolution,  and  I shan’t  break  it  if 
I can  sell  every  horse  that  I have  in  my  stable.”  A 
man  in  Maine  out  of  bravado  resolved  to  give  Friday  a 
fair  trial.  He  laid  the  keel  of  a vessel,  launched  the 
craft  on  Friday,  finished  the  freight  on  Friday,  sent 
the  vessel  to  sea  on  Friday,  and  she  was  never  heard 
of  afterwards.  When  it  is  perfectly  convenient,  the 
owner  seeks  some  other  day  on  which  to  lay  the  keel 
of  his  vessel. 

Jackson  was  one  of  the  luckiest  of  men.  By  the 
merest  accident  he  was  elected  captain  of  his  com- 


LUCK  IN  BUSINESS. 


77 


pany.  It  was  sheer  luck  that  allowed  him  to  be  at 
New  Orleans  at  all,  for  his  command  was  rejected  over 
and  over  again.  The  battle  was  a blunder,  and  the 
victory  was  won  through  a series  of  mistakes  that 
would  have  ruined  anybody  else.  Luck  did  for  him 
at  Nashville  what  years  of  hard  toil  as  a lawyer  under 
ordinary  circumstances  would  not  have  done.  The 
day  he  hung  out  his  shingle,  some  well-connected 
young  men,  seventy -two  in  number,  real  scapegraces, 
got  into  trouble.  The  few  lawyers  in  Nashville  were 
retained  against  the  young  men,  and  nothing  remained 
to  the  accused  but  to  secure  the  services  of  the  young 
advocate.  Attempts  were  made  to  intimidate  him,  but 
without  success.  Jackson  fought  the  thing  through 
wdtii  the  daring  and  pluck  that  in  after  years  marked 
his  generalship  at  New  Orleans.  That  day’s  work 
settled  his  rank  as  a lawyer. 

A Bais'kino  House  in  Europe  took  United  States 
bonds  when  they  were  first  issued.  People  said  those 
men  are  fools  ; the  American  government  is  lost. 
When  the  bonds  became  profitable,  men  exclaimed, 
What  a lucky  house  ! Mason  and  Slidell  were  taken 
from  under  the  British  flag  ; the  English  would  demand 
their  surrender  and  the  United  States  v/ould  refuse,  and 
war  was  inevitable.  A member  of  the  banking  house 
referred  to  said  to  our  ministers  : ‘Mf  Mason  and  Sli- 
dell have  been  seized  unlawfully,  will  they  be  re- 
leased U’  “ Yes.”  The  banker  went  into  the  market 
and  bought  up  all  the  United  States  securities  offered. 
When  war  was  averted  this  forecast  secured  a golden 
harvest,  and  men  shouted.  What  a lucky  firm  ! 

A Wool  Merchant  counted  up  his  gains.  He  had 
six  hundred  thousand  dollars  to  dispose  of.  He  was 
going  out  of  business.  For  the  sake  of  a young  man 


78 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


wliom  lie  brought  up,  he  concluded  to  go  on  one  year 
more.  The  luck  not  only  turned  against  him,  but  there 
seemed  a conspiracy  to  ruin  him.  He  continued  the 
same  style  of  business  that  had  led  to  fortune.  He  was 
as  just,  as  vigilant,  as  cautious,  as  before.  He  lost 
money  every  day  and  lost  it  on  every  hand.  Every- 
body that  failed  owed  him  ; every  panic  stripiied  him  ; 
every  Avave  struck  his  craft ; every  fire  burned  his  goods, 
and  finally,  the  young  man  for  whose  sake  he  continued 
in  business  stole  his  projierty  and  turned  him  into 
bankruptcy. 


XXXYII. 

KEEP  UP  THE  STROKE. 

OATMEN  know  that  to  win  the  stroke  must 
be  kept  up.  The  same  principle  applies 
to  business.  A great  sugar  house  had  fifty 
years  of  success.  It  relied  on  the  old 
methods,  and  steadfastly  refused  to  adopt  modern 
ones.  Its  past  success  availed  nothing  with  the  new 
generation,  and  the  house  had  to  withdraw  from  the 
market.  Many  men  fail  because  they  leave  a busi- 
ness they  understand,  and  are.  attracted  towards  one 
that  they  know  nothing  about.  A prosperous  mer- 
chant may  ruin  himself  in  stocks.  A well-known  Xew 
A"oi*k  merchant  had  unbounded  confidence  in  his  own 
judgment.  His  boast  was  that  he  never  made  a mis- 
take. He  saw  a chance  to  make  a fortune  out  of  a 
railroad.  He  put  in  fifty  thousand  dollars  ; he  put 
in  fifty  thousand  dollars  to  save  that ; twice  he  could 


79 


KEEP  TIP  TEE  STROKE. 

have  got  out  of  his  troubles  by  sinking  a hundred 
thousand  dollars,  and  he  would  have  had  a fortune 
then.  He  hung  on  till  he  was  utterly  ruined,  and 
he  learned  to  his  sorrow  that  there  were  no  friendships 
in  trade. 

Men  throw  on  the  market  an  article  that  becomes 
popular.  Success  turns  their  heads.  If  it  is  food,  they 
adulterate  it ; if  it  is  cloth,  they  reduce  the  quality. 
In  other  words,  they  do  not  keep  up  the  stroke.  A 
celebrated  band  began  to  grow  into  disfavor.  The 
leader  was  tired,  disliked  his  uniform,  hated  to  i^arade. 
A merchant  inherited  the  name  and  fortune  of  an 
eminent  house.  He  reversed  the  rules  by  which  a for- 
tune was  made.  He  sunk  the  house  in  seven  years  in 
disgrace,  and  tied  the  country  to  avoid  punishment. 

’Tis  the  common  remark,  that  men  who  trade  in 
adulterated  goods  are  seldom  a success.  The  busi- 
ness of  adulterating  food  is  very  largely  carried 
on  in  a great  city.  Mustard  is  made  of  yellow 
ochre,  poor  ]3epper,  and  terra-alba.  Tlie  pepper 
of  commerce  is  made  of  maggott}^  hard-tack  and  bad 
crackers,  brought  home  from  a long,  long  voyage. 
While  this  style  of  business  invariably  leads  to  ruin, 
the  old  spice  house  in  Hutch  street  has  never  made 
nor  sold  an  ounce  of  impure  spice,  and  has  made  the 
fortune  of  two  or  three  generations.  All  boatmen 
know  the  value  of  keeping  up  the  stroke.  Hepute  is 
nothing.  Practice  is  nothing.  But  a long,  steady,  con- 
tinuous stroke,  does  the  work.  It  is  the  same  in  trade. 
IMo  past  popularity,  no  fame  earned  by  a lifetime  will 
avail,  if  men  do  not  keep  to  the  front,  and  keep  up  the 
stroke. 


80 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS.. 


XXXYIII. 

DARLING  KEEPS  A HOTEL. 

LFRED  B.  DARLING  began  liis  hotel  life  in 
the  Broomfield  House,  Boston,  kept  by 
Selden  Crockett.  He  was  a hall -boy  at 
twelve  dollars  a month.  Crockett  took  a 
great  interest  in  the  capable  and  ambitious  lad. 
Crockett  said  to  him,  ‘‘Alfred,  if  you  will  get  up  early 
ril  take  you  to  market  and  show  you  how  to  buy.” 
He  outran  his  teacher,  and  the  market  men  said : 
“ You  had  better  stay  at  home,  Crockett ; the  boy  can 
buy  better  than  you  can.”  Stevens  wanted  an  assis- 
tant, and  Crockett  recommended  Darling.  He  spent  a 
summer  at  Newport.  He  became  a clerk  at  the  Ge- 
rard House,  Philadelphia,  and  everywhere  showed 
great  capacity  for  hotel  life.  In  1858,  Stevens  sent 
Darling  to  Mobile  to  take  charge  of  the  Mobile  House. 
The  salary  was  thirty-five  hundred  dollars  a year,  and 
a small  interest  in  the  business.  The  house  was  filled 
with  planters  and  their  families,  who  demanded 
sumptuous  fare  and  expensive  wines.  The  business 
was  a great  success.  Every  night  Darling  telegraphed 
to  Stevens  the  profit  and  loss  of  the  day.  Darling  saw 
the  storm-cloud  at  the  South  ; sold  everything,  and 
started  for  the  North.  His  golden  cargo  entered  the 
Narrows  as  the  hurricane  burst  over  the  land.  There 
was  room  for  him  at  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel.  He  soon 
became  a i^roprietor,  and  the  firm  divided  in  one  year, 
as  profits,  four  hundred  and  forty  thousand  dollars. 


PARAN  STEVENS. 


81 


XXXIX. 

PARAX  STEVENS. 

TEVENS  began  life  as  a stable-boy  in  Ver- 
mont. When  quite  a young  man  lie  went 
to  Boston  and  kept  a small  stage  tavern. 
The  Revere  House  was  otfered  at  a low  rent, 
without  takers,  in  1847.  Men  said  there  was  no  money 
in  it ; ’twas  too  stylish  for  Boston,  and  would  ruin  any 
man  who  attempted  to  run  it.  Stevens  took  the  lease 
and  oiiened  the  Revere  at  an  auspicious  time.  The 
water  was  introduced  and  the  city  was  thronged  ; 
every  hotel  was  full,  and  the  Revere  House  had  its 
share.  The  rooms  were  elegant,  the  table  sumptuous, 
the  price  reasonable,  and  the  multitude  spread  the  fame 
of  the  Revere  all  over  the  land.  Stevens  made  the 
house  what  it  has  been  ever  since — the  foremost  hotel 
in  Boston. 

The  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel  was  unfinished,  boarded  up, 
wore  the  look  of  general  dilapidation,  and  was  known 
as  ‘‘Eno’s  Folly.”  Stevens,  in  1859,  took  a lease  of 
the  hotel  and  obligated  himself  to  finish  and  open  it  in 
a given  time.  Stevens,  as  he  rode  up  and  down  in  the 
omnibus,  had  the  benefit  of  the  popular  opinion : 
‘‘That  fellow  is  a fool;  he’ll  soon  come  to  grief;” 
“I’ll  give  him  ninety  days  to  fail  in  ; ” “ He  might  as 
well  open  a hotel  at  Sandy  Hook.”  The  hotel  was 
finished,  was  opened,  and  became  an  immediate  suc- 
cess. Stevens  said  to  me  one  day:  “ It  has  been  my 
ambition  to  do  everything  better  than  anybody  else. 
I groomed  my  horses  well  when  I was  a stable-boy,  and 
many  a dollar  has  found  its  way  into  my  ]30cket  from 
gratified  owners.  I have  always  attended  personally 


83 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS, 


to  my  own  business.  I have  never  trusted  any  one 
when  it  has  been  my  duty  to  look  after  the  thing  my- 
self. I kept  out  of  debt,  and  neither  drank  nor  gambled. 
I never  owed  a dollar  in  my  life  that  I could  not  pay 
on  time.  In  my  hotel  I bought  low  and  close,  and 
gave  the  customers  the  benefit  of  my  bargains.  Cream 
is  as  cheap  as  milk,  and  I always  bought  the  best.  I 
gave  my  guests  their  money’s  worth,  and  gave  them 
whatever  they  wanted.” 


XL. 

HE  WILL  WIX. 

WO  engineers  were  in  a depot.  One  of  them 
was  a merry  fellow,  smoking  and  laughing 
with  the  crowd.  He  was  a good  hand  as 
engineers  go,  ran  a freight  engine  and  di- 
vided his  work  with  the  fireman.  The  other  engineer 
was  burnishing  his  engine  with  some  cotton  stuff.  He 
was  well-educated  and  smart,  evidently  muscular, 
though  slim  and  somewhat  frail.  He  asked  for  the 
position  of  brakeman.  The  superintendent  told  him 
that  he  wouldn’t  like  the  business,  it  was  rough,  dirty 
and  dangerous.  He  was  not  stout  enough — the  first 
time  he  attempted  to  ^‘down  brakes,”  he  would  be 
thrown  off  from  the  platform.  The  young  man  thought 
otherwise,  and  pressed  his  request  for  the  position. 
He  soon  knew  how  to  make  up  the  train.  He  then  ran 
an  engine  on  short  routes,  doing  everything  skillfully 
and  everything  well.  He  was  always  at  work,  oiling. 


ACCIDENTAL  SUCCESS. 


83 


polishing,  tightening  the  screws  and  keeping  his  engine 
in  order.  The  superintendent  asked  him  one  day  if  he 
purposed  to  spend  his  days  as  an  engineer  ? He  an- 
swered, ‘‘No  sir.  I purpose  to  be  a superintendent  and 
know  everything  from  the  driving  of  a spike  to  the 
opening  of  a throttle-valve.” 


XLI. 

ACCIDENTAL  SUCCESS. 

CCESS,  like  greatness,  is  thrust  on  one  man ; 
it  comes  not  at  the  earnest  wooing  of 
another.  Inventions  that  have  changed  the 
world  and  made  the  fortune  of  thousands, 
were  purely  accidental.  A spark  of  a candle  on 
chemicals  gave  us  gunpowder.  Goodyear’s  neglected 
skillett,  heated  red  hot,  gave  us  vulcanized  rubber. 
The  casual  rubbing  of  a piece  of  glass  revealed  elec- 
tricity. The  skin  of  a frog  suggested  Galvanism.  The 
vibration  of  a chandelier  at  Florence  taught  Galileo 
the  uses  of  the  pendulum.  Bits  of  glass  put  together 
to  amuse  children  originated  the  telescope.  The  ac- 
cidental putting  of  a tube  over  a lamp  gave  us  the 
argand  burner.  What  men  call  accident  is  often  the 
fruit  of  years  of  careful  study,  patient  endurance  and 
devotion.  The  Duke  of  Wellington  through  all  his 
military  studies  was  mindful  of  little  things.  He  was 
laughed  at  when  a cadet  for  his  fussiness.  His 
victories  in  after-life  were  mainly  attributable  to  that 
trait  in  his  character.  He  never  went  into  battle 


84 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


without  looking  after  the  knapsacks  of  his  men,  saw 
that  every  buckle  was  in  place,  and  that  the  linch-pins 
were  right.  After  a victory  he  expected  a surprise, 
was  always  prepared  for  it,  and  never  caught  napping. 
The  night  before  the  battle  of  Waterloo  he  was  at  a 
ball.  No  one  saw  signs  of  that  fatal  conflict.  Before 
he  laid  his  head  on  his  pillow  at  night,  he  was  ready 
for  the  storm  of  battle  that  beat  upon  him  so  fiercely 
the  next  morning.  The  fall  of  an  apple  was  sufficient 
to  reveal  to  Newton  the  law  of  gravitation.  The  fall 
of  a pumpkin  would  suggest  to  some  men  nothing  but 
a poultice.  A kite  string  gave  us  practical  electricity ; 
but  years  of  hard  study  prepared  Franklin  for  his 
great  discovery.  The  fleet  with  which  Perry  drove  the 
British  from  the  great  lakes  was  a forest  when  war 
was  declared.  The  sailors  felled  the  trees,  hewed  the 
timbers,  laid  the  keels,  finished  and  manned  the  skips, 
and  hauled  to  the  mast-head  the  famous  motto  : ‘-‘We 
have  met  the  enemy  and  he  is  ours.” 

An  emi;n'ent  English  lawyer  studied  years  to  gain 
a position  at  the  bar.  He  had  little  success.  He  rode 
several  circuits  without  a brief.  A friend  gave  him  a 
case  because  it  was  hopeless.  There  was  an  immense 
amount  of  property  in  the  suit,  and  the  whole  depended 
on  the  date  of  a borough  which  could  not  be  found. 
The  young  lawyer  went  to  work  as  if  his  life  reputation 
depended  upon  winning.  He  remembered  that  it  was 
the  custom  of  Sir  Christopher  W ren  to  place  the  date 
of  his  churches  on  the  key-stone.  This  borough  had 
in  it  one  of  Wren’s  churches.  All  efforts  to  find  the 
date  were  in  vain.  The  young  counselor  had  an  im- 
pression that  the  date  must  be  behind  the  command- 
ments and  the  creed.  He  bribed  the  sexton,  worked 
nights,  chipped  away  the  plaster,  found  the  date,  won, 


ACCIDENTAL  SUCCESS. 


85 


and  worked  his  way  up  to  the  woolsack.  He  used  to 
humorously  say  that  his  success  began  with  the  break- 
ing of  all  the  commandments  on  one  night. 

Wachtel,  the  great  singer,  was  clerk  in  a mercan- 
tile house.  He  w^as  exact  in  small  things  ; whatever  he 
undertook  he  did  well.  He  was  a superb  rider,  and 
was  very  popular  as  a tenor  singer.  A nobleman  who 
was  attracted  by  his  voice  and  horsemanship,  invited 
him  to  a soiree.  He  modestly  declined  to  sing  in  a 
quartette,  because  he  was  not  in  practice,  though  he 
could  sing  better  than  any  one  in  the  room.  The 
nobleman  was  pleased  with  his  diffidence,  knew  that 
he  had  in  him  the  elements  of  a great  singer,  furnished 
funds  to  send  him  to  Rome,  that  he  might  enjoy  a 
first-class  education. 

He  devoted  himself  exclusively  to  study,  avoided  all 
society,  worked  more  hours  than  a porter,  and  refused 
all  offers  to  sing  in  society,  until  the  masters  pro- 
nounced him  the  most  finished  tenor  in  Europe. 

The  very  famous  Mrs.  Howard  worked  her  way 
up  into  society.  She  resolved  to  shine  at  court.  She 
had  neither  patron  nor  friend.  Her  education  had  been 
sadly  neglected.  She  had  talent,  resolution,  and  au- 
dacity. The  few"  that  knew  her,  j^raised  her  fine  black 
tresses.  These  she  cut  off,  imrtly  to  keep  herself  out 
of  society,  and  partly  to  obtain  funds  to  employ  a 
teacher.  In  the  solitude  of  her  garret  she  made  her- 
self one  of  the  most  brilliant  and  fascinating  women  of 
her  age.  Her  indomitable  energy  and  pluck  secured 
for  her  the  position  she  coveted. 

Lady  Walpole  was  in  disgrace  at  court.  The  new 
Queen  was  to  receive,  and  all  unbidden,  her  ladyship 
Ijressed  her  way  to  the  Presence  Chamber.  She 


86 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


elbowed  her  passage  through  the  crowd  amid  the  jeers 
and  scoffs  of  the  courtiers.  An  accidental  surging  oi 
the  crowd  pushed  Lady  Walpole  to  the  very  footstool. 
The  Queen  ordered  her  to  advance,  tendered  her  her 
hand  for  a salute,  and  ordered  her  to  take  her  place 
among  the  nobles  that  surrounded  her.  The  lady 
said  : — ‘‘  When  I came  away,  had  I wished,  I could 
have  walked  over  the  heads  of  the  fools.’’ 


Gov.  Clive,  as  a boy,  was  wild  and  reckless.  No- 
body could  control  or  tame  him.  He  was  the  terror  of 
the  shop-keepers  of  the  town.  Marching  at  the  head  of 
vagrant  lads,  he  exacted  tribute  from  everyone.  Be- 
fore he  was  ten  years  of  age  he  climbed  the  tall  steeple 
of  the  Marnette  Church.  Hie  father  regarded  him  as 
a vagrant,  and  shipped  him  off,  to  die  of  the  fever  in 
Madras.  He  exchanged  his  pen  for  a sword,  became 
the  great  statesman  and  cajjtain,  and  saved  to  the 
British  their  possessions  in  India.  Long  after  the 
English  nation  were  wild  with  enthusiasm  over  his 
name,  his  father — father-like — refused  to  believe  that 
‘‘Bob  Clive”  would  ever  come  to  anything  but  a 
gibbet. 


Lokd  Melbourne  Avas  opposed  a member  of  the 
Cabinet  because  he  lacked  nerve  and  was  a dandy. 
He  lacked  decision,  and  was  not  fit  to  receive  a port- 
folio. In  spite  of  his  unpopularity  he  became  a secre- 
tary. A mob  one  hundred  thousand  strong  came  to 
his  office  to  jjresent  a petition.  There  was  an  ominous 
threat  in  the  number.  The  secretary  opened  the  win- 
dow, looked  down  on  the  seething  crowd,  and  said  in 
a clear  strong  voice,  without  a quiver  in  it,  “ There 
are  too  many  of  you.”  He  closed  the  window  and  re- 
tired. That  settled  the  question  of  courage.  The  mob, 


ACCIDENTAL  SUCCESS. 


87 


staggered  by  tbe  boldness  and  audacity  of  the  act,  re- 
* tired. 

Sir  Astley  Cooper  was  born  a surgeon.  When 
a lad  he  picked  up  a boy  by  the  wayside  who  had 
fallen  from  a cart,  and  seemed  likely  to  bleed  to  death, 
and  staunched  and  bound  up  the  wound  in  so  artistic 
a manner  as  to  command  the  approval  of  the  first  sur- 
geons of  the  age.  He  was  apprenticed  to  an  apothe- 
cary and  soon  mastered  the  business.  He  was  distin- 
guished for  independence  and  boldness,  and  never 
shrank  from  any  case  offered  to  him.  George  TV.  had 
a tumor  and  the  London  surgeons  were  afraid  to  touch 
the  king.  Sir  Astley  was  sent  for.  He  looked  on  the 
king  and  said  : “I  shall  hack  and  cut  your  majesty  as 
if  you  were  a plowman.”  His  benevolence  was  equal 
to  his  courage.  No  poor  person  was  ever  turned  from 
his  door  without  assistance.  In  the  mountains  of  Bis- 
cay the  wild  followers  of  Don  Carlos  allowed  a party  to 
pass  without  molestation  when  they  exhibited  the  sig- 
nature of  Sir  Astley  Cooper. 

The  fame  of  Kirke  White  as  a poet  rests  on  a 
single  hymn.  He  was  jeered  at  by  critics  as  a maker 
of  poor  verses.  His  critics  are  dead  and  forgotten. 
White  immortalized  himself  by  his  hymn:  “When 
marshalled  on  the  Nightly  Plain,”  written  on  a boat, 
by  the  light  of  a dim  lantern,  on  a dark  and  stormy 
night,  as  the  poet  was  rowed  along  the  cost  from  head- 
land to  headland. 

CiiANTREY  was  a stone-mason.  He  had  a taste  for 
chiseling,  and  his  early  efforts  were  rude  enough.  His 
ambition  to  be  an  artist  excited  general  ridicule.  He 
worked  in  poverty  and  neglect  for  many  years,  was 
utterly  friendless,  and  nearly  starved.  He  accidentally 


88 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


formed  the  acquaintance  of  Rogers,  the  poet.  The 
banker  poet  lived  in  too  grand  style  to  cultivate  very 
intimately  the  acquaintance  of  a struggling  sculptor. 
One  night  Rogers  was  called  to  his  door ; Chantrey 
stood  there  with  a chest  of  drawers  on  his  back,  which 
he  had  made.  ‘‘You  must  buy  this,”  the  sculptor 
said,  “or  I shall  starve.”  Rogers  helped  Chantrey  to 
introduce  a bust  into  the  Academy.  Chantrey  was  still 
a stone-mason  in  the  estimation  of  artists,  and  his  work 
was  put  in  a mean  place.  Nollekins  stood  at  the  head 
of  his  profession  at  that  time.  He  came  into  the 
Academy  one  day,  and  as  his  manner  was,  he  looked 
this  way  and  looked  that.  His  eye  fell  on  Chantrey’ s 
bust.  He  exclaimed:  “That’s  line;  the  maker  must 
be  known.  Remove  one  of  my  busts  and  put  this  in  its 
place  ; it  well  deserves  it.”  That  kindly  act  gave 
Chantrey  his  position. 

Scott  was  unknown  to  fame  until  he  was  over 
forty.  He  wrote  Waverley  in  1806.  The  critics  con- 
demned it,  and  he  threw  the  manuscript  into  a rubbish 
drawer,  where  it  reposed  seven  years.  Searching  for 
fishing  tackle,  Scott  unearthed  the  story.  The  critics 
still  condemned  it,  and  it  slumbered  on  till  1816,  when 
its  publication  astonished  the  world. 

Dll.  Petek  Parker,  when  quite  a youth,  devoted 
himself  to  the  missionary  cause,  and  selected  China  as 
his  field  of  labor.  To  make  himself  useful  he  studied 
both  theology  and  medicine.  The  doctors  refused  to 
license  him  because  he  was  too  much  of  a minister ; 
the  ministers  refused  to  license  him  because  he  was  too 
much  of  a doctor.  He  was  very  resolute  and  persist- 
ent. He  finally  obtained  his  diploma  as  a doctor  and  a 
preacher.  His  medical  knowledge  gave  him  access  to 
the  people,  and  his  skill  in  the  treatment  of  the  eye, 


ACCIDENTAL  SUCCESS. 


89 


opened  for  him  the  imperial  palace.  He  proved  one  of 
the  most  influential  missionaries  the  American  Board 
ever  sent  into  the  fleld. 

Judge  Bradley, — still  called  by  the  Schoharie  boys 
Jo  Bradley,” — of  the  U.  S.  supreme  court,  was  born  in 
Schoharie  county.  His  father  was  a charcoal-burner, 
and  the  boy  was  intended  for  the  same  rugged  calling. 
Without  help  or  friends  the  boy  undertook  to  educate 
himself  ; by  the  glaring  light  of  the  coal-pits  he  fitted 
himself  for  college,  fought  his  way  through,  and  earned 
the  eminent  rank  he  now  holds. 

Turner,  the  eminent  artist,  was  the  son  of  a barber, 
whose  specialty  was  a ‘‘penny  a shave.”  The  boy 
had  a natural  taste  for  colors.  His  earliest  efforts  with 
very  rude  tools  was  drawing  the  emblazoned  arms  on 
a lordly  mansion.  A gentleman  sitting  in  his  fathers 
shop  was  struck  with  his  genius,  and  presented  him 
with  a box  of  paints.  He  worked  steadily  and  alone 
in  his  father’s  garret.  A painter  offered  him  six  cents 
a night  for  washing  in  India  ink.  He  thankfully  ac- 
cepted the  offer.  The  result  of  that  engagement  fol- 
lowed him  through  life.  His  own  words  are:  “I 
learned  to  earn  guineas  by  that  midnight  toil.  I never 
slobbered  over  my  work  because  I was  ill-paid. 
When  1 worked  at  all  I worked  well.  I was  not  toiling 
for  a living  when  I got  six  cents  a night ; I was  learn- 
ing to  be  an  artist.”  The  softness  that  marked  Turner’s 
work,  which  was  the  envy  of  artists,  was  acquired  by 
those  nights  of  drudgery. 

Bishop  Whipple,  of  Minnesota,  was  an  accidental 
bishop.  He  was  assigned  to  a mission  fleld  in 
Chicago,  with  no  more  prospect  of  being  an  American 
bishop  than  he  had  of  being  elevated  to  the  arch- 


90 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS, 


bishop’s  chair  in  Canterbury.  He  was  an  intense 
worker  with  a marvelous  amount  of  magnetism.  He 
was  a sort  of  Peter  the  Hermit  among  the  lowly,  and 
had  the  faculty  of  filling  every  thing  he  preached  in. 
A convention  was  called  to  elect  a missionary  bishojj. 
Dr.  Tucker,  of  Troy,  and  Dr.  Patterson,  of  Chicago, 
were  prominent  candidates.  After  several  ballots, 
the  convention  was  a tie.  A solitary  vote  was  cast 
every  time  for  a Hev.  Mr.  Whipple.  The  vote 
was  traced  to  Dr.  Patterson.  This  vote  was  thrown, 
not  to  elect  Whipple,  but  to  defeat  Tucker.  The  con- 
vention called  on  Dr.  Patterson  to  give  some  account 
of  his  candidate.  He  did  so,  and  the  statement  was  so 
favorable  that  Mr.  Whipple  was  elected  on  the  next 
ballot,  to  the  surprise  of  every  one.  Bishop  Whipple 
j)roved  himself  equal  to  the  honors  conferred  upon 
him.  Patriarchal  in  look,  long  hair  prematurely  gray, 
head  and  shoulders  above  most  men,  he  is  a man  of 
indomitable  force  and  rare  executive  ability.  His 
diocese  is  a feeble  one  ; but  he  entered  it  as  a farmer 
enters  a tough  field — to  subdue  it.  He  can  turn  his 
hand  to  anything — beg  and  collect  donations,  cut  out 
clothing  for  his  assistants,  and  is  equally  at  home  in  a 
miner’s  tent  or  a mud  hovel,  comforting  the  emigrants, 
or  thrilling  an  audience  in  a cathedral. 

Dii.  PuiDEAux  was  the  great  scholar  of  his  age. 
He  proposed  to  educate  himself.  He  walked  from  his 
own  cabin  to  Oxford,  a distance  of  two  hundred  miles, 
with  his  bundle  slung  over  his  shoulder.  During  his 
long  tramp  he  lived  on  bread  and  water,  and  slept  in 
barns  and  under  the  hedges.  He  entered  college  as  a 
menial  ; scoured  pots  and  pans  and  did  the  dirty  work 
of  the  kitchen.  While  he  was  engaged  in  this  drudg- 
ery, his  book  w^as  ahvays  open  before  him,  and  he  kept 
at  the  head  of  his  class.  His  gentle  spirit  and  faithful- 


ACCIDENTAL  SUCCESS. 


91 


ness  won  Mm  the  love  and  esteem  of  all.  He  sought 
the  position  of  parish  clerk,  and  was  greatly  mortified 
when  it  was  given  to  another.  In  after  years  he  was 
used  to  say  : — ‘‘Had  I won  the  clerkship  of  Ugborongh 
I never  should  have  been  Bishop  of  Worcester.”  He 
entered  Oxford  as  a “poor  scholar,”  and  graduated 
with  distiuguished  honors. 

A Young  Man  worked  in  the  Swamp  in  New  York. 
The  church  of  which  he  was  a member  proposed  to 
remove  a debt,  and  his  name  was  put  down  for  twenty- 
live  dollars.  He  was  not  worth  that  sum,  but  was 
ashamed  to  make  his  poverty  known.  At  the  close  of 
his  day’s  work  he  went  on  to  the  dock  to  think  matters 
over.  He  saw  a musk  rat.  He  shied  a stone  at  it  and 
killed  it.  He  took  off  the  skin,  and  half  in  banter, 
half  in  earnest,  showed  it  to  a furrier  who  was  a friend 
of  his.  He  learned  that  tiie  skin  of  muskrats  had  a 
market  value.  He  saw  a business  opened  before  him 
which  lie  immediately  took  in  hand.  He  prospered  in 
it,  and  was  able  to  make  his  church  a centennary  offer- 
ing of  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

A Farmer’s  son  got  a place  in  a mercantile  house. 
His  clothes  were  home- spun  and  his  boots  country- 
made.  The  boys  made  fun  of  him,  and  he  begged  his 
father  to  give  him  a better  suit.  “My  son,”  said  the 
father,  “if  you  want  better  clothes,  earn  them.”  The 
lad  became  a merchant,  and  died  the  other  day,  leaving 
a fortune  of  half  a million. 

Stephen  Gerard  helped  those  who  helped  them- 
selves. On  his  way  to  the  bank  he  was  attracted  by  a 
young  bricklayer  who  attended  strictly  to  his  work. 
After  the  business  was  completed  the  young  man  called 
at  the  bank  and  asked  Mr.  Gerard  for  work.  The 


92 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


banker  ordered  him  to  wheel  a pile  of  stones  from  one 
end  of  the  yard  to  the  other ; he  came  for  his  pay. 

‘ ‘ How  much  ? ” ‘ ‘ One  dollar,  sir.  ” “ That’ s honest ; 

you  take  no  advantage  ; come  to-morrow.”  For  one 
full  week  those  stones  were  wheeled  from  one, end  of 
the  garden  to  the  other.  On  Saturday  the  mechanic 
was  called  into  the  bank.  Gerard  said  : ‘‘I  like  you  ; 
you  shall  be  my  man  ; you  mind  your  own  business  ; 
you  do  whatever  I tell  you  ; you  ask  no  questions ; got 
a wife  ? ” “Yes,  sir.  ” “ Any  little  chicks  ? ” “ Five.  ’ ’ 
“ Here  are  are  five  pieces  of  money  for  your  five  little 
chicks.  You  shall  never  want  work  any  more.” 

Judge  Seward  gave  William  a thousand  dollars, 
sent  him  to  college,  and  told  him  he  must  graduate  on 
that.  He  came  home  at  the  end  of  the  Freshman  year, 
out  of  pocket,  and  with  habits  more  ornamental  than 
useful.  As  the  vacation  neared  its  close  the  judge  told 
his  son  it  was  time  to  return  to  college.  The  young 
man  informed  his  father  that  he  had  no  money. 
“ You’ve  got  all  that  I can  give  you,”  said  the  father. 
“You  can’t  stay  around  here.  You  must  work  your 
own  way  through.”  The  young  man  went  on  his  way, 
graduated  at  the  head  of  his  class,  became  eminent  in 
law,  filled  the  office  of  Governor  and  Senator,  and 
became  the  most  famous  Secretary  of  State  since  the 
days  of  Madison. 


PROVERBS  OF  TRADE. 


93 


XLII. 

PEOYERBS  OF  TRADE. 

ROYERBS  hold  the  wisdom  of  nations. 
Substantially  they  are  the  same  in  all  ages. 
The  aphoristic  sayings  of  Solomon  are  re- 
peated in  Egypt,  Arabia,  Hindostari,  and 
the  Islands  of  the  Sea.  They  commend  Honor,  Justice, 
Industry,  Integrity  and  Yirtue.  Whatever  the  life  of 
a nation  may  be,  Rs  proverbs  are  right.  Proverbial 
sayings  are  the  common  coin  of  the  world,  and  pass 
from  one  generation  to  anotner.  The  tomes  of  the 
learned  x)erish,  but  the  pithy  utterances  are  immortal. 
‘‘Shoot  him  on  the  spot.”  “England  expects  every 
man  to  do  his  duty.”  “Don’t  give  up  the  ship.” 
“ We’ve  met  the  enemy  and  he  is  ours.”  “ The  King 
never  dies,” — with  other  aphoristic  sayings  will  live 
while  history  endures.  Out  of  thousands  of  proverbs, 
we  select  a few. 

“ Give  me  neither  poverty  nor  riches.”  Poverty 
leads  to  theft ; money  to  denying  God. 

“A  fool  uttereth  all  his  mind,  but  a wise  man 
keepeth  it  till  afterwards.”  Keep  your  own  counsel. 

‘ ‘ Bray  a fool  in  a mortar  with  a pestle,  yet  will  not 
his  foolishness  depart  from  him.”  He  is  incorrigible, 
will  be  a fool  still. 

“Give  me  room  to  sit  down,  and  I’ll  find  room  to 
lie  down.”  A man  should  make  his  own  place. 

“ When  the  tale  of  brick  is  doubled,  Moses 
comes.”  Never  despair. 


94 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


‘‘He  that  passeth  by,  and  meddleth  with  strife  be- 
longing not  to  him,  is  like  one  that  taketh  a dog  by  the 
ears.”  Keep  out  of  other  peoples’  broils. 

“ Remove  not  the  old  land-marks.”  Be  honest. 

“ Riches  certainly  make  themselves  wings,  they  fly 
away.  ’ ’ W ealth  is  insecure. 

“ Buy  the  truth  and  sell  it  not.”  Hold  on  to  prin- 
ciple. 

“He  that  followeth  after  vain  persons  shall  have 
poverty  enough.”  Evil  company  is  ruinous. 

“ Thy  father’s  friend  forsake  not.”  Tried  advisers 
are  best. 

“A  man  that  hath  friends  must  show  himself 
friendly.”  A man  must  give  as  well  as  take. 

“He  that  is  greedy  of  gain  trouble th  his  own 
house.”  Avarice  is  an  unwelcome  lodger. 

“ It  is  not  meet  to  see  servants  on  horses,  and  princes 
walking.”  There  is  a fitness  in  things. 

“ If  the  iron  be  blunt  and  he  do  not  whet  the  edge 
then  must  he  put  to  more  strength.”  Wisdom  will 
direct. 

“ Birds  are  caught  in  a snare ; so  are  the  sons  of 
men  snared  in  an  evil  time.”  Temptations  carry  men 
under. 

“ Riches  kept  for  the  OAvners  thereof  to  their  hurt.” 
Wealth  ruins  more  than  poverty. 

“ A man  diligent  in  his  business  shall  stand  before 
kings.”  There  is  profit  in  labor. 


PROVERBS  OF  TRADE, 


95 


‘‘The  inills  of  the  gods  grind  slow,  but  they  grind 
fine.”  Retributive  justice  is  sure. 

“The  feet  of  the  gods  are  shod  with  wool.”  Dis- 
asters don’t  herald  their  coming. 

“A  diamond  with  a flaw  is  better  than  a pebble 
without.”  A talented  man  with  a foible  is  better  than 
a stupid  man  with  none. 

“ A fool  will  do  in  the  end,  what  a wise  man  will  do 
in  the  beginning.”  A prudent  man  foreseeth  the  evil. 

“ A stone  fit  for  the  wall  is  not  long  out  of  place.’’ 
Talent  will  make  room  for  itself. 

“Draw  the  snake  from  the  hole  with  somebody 
else’s  hand.”  Profit  by  the  folly  of  others. 

“ Don’t  give  your  flour  to  the  devil,  and  your  bran 
to  God.”  Waste  not  your  strength  on  your  appetites. 

“ It  is  better  to  boil  over,  than  not  to  boil  at  all.” 
Mediocrity  never  wins. 

“ He  who  says  what  he  likes,  will  hear  what  he  does 
not  like.” 

“Better  the  child  weep  than  the  mother.” 

“ Of  the  word  unspoken.  Thou  art  master.’ 

“ Evil  from  thy  mouth  falls  into  thine  own  bosom.” 

“ Tell  thy  friend  nothing  that  thine  enemy  may  not 
hear.” 

“In  prosperity  no  altars  smoke.” 

“Men  cut  broad' thongs  from  other  men’s  leather.” 


96 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


XLIII. 

MUTUAL  LIFE  INSURANCE  COMPANY  OF 
NEW  YORK. 

Located  at  No.  144  Broadway.,  City  of  New  York. 

OREMOST  among  the  attractive  public  build- 
ings of  New  York,  stands  the  headquarters 
of  the  Mutual  Life.  It  is  elegant  in  situa- 
tion, attractive  and  costly,  and  at  once  ar- 
rests the  attention  of  visitors.  This  company  is  the 
great  cash  company  of  the  metropolis.  It  handles 
more  money,  makes  heavier  loans,  and  transacts  more 
business  in  money,  than  any  institution  in  the  State. 
Its  style  of  doing  business  is  seen  in  the  fact,  that  its 
magnificent  headquarters — which  would  rent  easily  for 
$50,000  a year — are  rent-free  to  the  company.  The 
portion  of  the  building  not  wanted  by  the  Mutual  Life 
is  rented  at  a sum  sufficient  to  defray  the  interest  on 
the  entire  cost.  The  fame  of  the  company  for  integrity, 
liberality,  economy  and  success,  has  spread  over  the 
land  and  over  the  sea.  No  accident,  no  luck,  no 
speculation,  has  given  the  company  its  marvelous 
prosperity.  It  has  earned  it  by  industry,  indomitable 
perseverance,  and  by  securing  the  confidence  of  the 
public,  which  is  and  ever  has  been  its  business  capital. 

The  Start. — The  company  had  no  patron.  On  the 
2nd  day  of  February,  1843,  it  began  work,  and  issued 
its  first  policy.  Its  headquarters  was  a desk-room  in 
a back  law  office  in  Wall  street.  It  had  two  officers ; 
one  had  a salary  of  $800  a year,  the  other  worked  for 
nothing.  The  caj^ital  could  have  been  carried  in  a 
man’s  vest  pocket ; its  business  in  a man’s  hat.  The 


MUTUAL  LIFE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 


97 


first  premium  was  $102.  With  this  cash  basis  the 
concern  began  its  career.  Its  present  cash  assets  have 
reached  the  astounding  figures  of  nearly  eighty  millions. 

The  Mutual  Life,  being  the  original  company,  had 
the  fate  of  all  pioneers.  It  had  to  battle  with  igno- 
rance and  bigotry.  Little  was  known  of  life  insurance, 
and  that  little  was  not  liked.  During  its  long  career, 
the  Company  has  never  halted.  Its  prosperous  march 
has  never  been  arrested  or  impeded.  Panics,  civil  war, 
business  reverses.  Black  Friday,  and  financial  tornados 
have  shaken  the  foundations  of  commercial  life,  top- 
pled down  the  heaviest  houses  and  swept  out  of  exis- 
tence honorable  institutions.  These  have  never  embar- 
rassed the  workings  of  the  Company,  nor  shaken  its 
credit.  On  its  fair  business  fame,  during  the  thirty 
years  of  its  operation,  no  stain  has  ever  been  cast.  The 
State  officials  have  borne  affluent  testimony  to  the  hon- 
orable career  of  the  Mutual  Life.  The  commanding 
position  of  life  insurance  to-day  is  due,  so  the  officials 
say,  to  the  course  pursued  by  this  Company. 

The  Foundation  Capital. — Men  and  institutions 
stand  on  character.  Certain  styles  of  goods  lead  the 
market.  The  brand  of  these  houses  has  a market 
value.  Third-rate  and  second-rate  institutions  must 
take  a third  or  second-rate  rank.  It  is  possible  for 
companies  to  obtain  a temporary  success.  Banks  and 
bankers,  insurance  companies,  life  and  fire,  without 
credit  and  without  integrity,  seem  to  prosper  for  a while. 
The  race  is  a short  one.  A lightning  express  train, 
with  the  locomotive  off,  runs  on  a while  without  per- 
ceptible abatement  of  speed.  But  a heavy  grade  tells 
a story. 

The  Mutual  Life  did  not  start  to  be  a great  institu- 
tion, nor  to  be  a rival  to  any  one.  It  started  to  do  a 
safe  business,  a business  based  on  industry  and  integ- 
rity. It  purposed  to  be  a foremost  institution  in  intel- 
7 


98 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


ligence,  honesty,  and  ability.  It  has  lived  to  see  hun- 
dreds of  institutions  that  were  famous  when  it  was 
weak  and  unknown,  pass  out  of  sight.  Its  rule  of 
business  has  been  the  common  sense  rule  of  success. 
Men  who  invest  in  real  estate  want  to  know  if  the  title 
is  good.  There  are  eminent  real  estate  lawyers  in  the 
city  without  whose  approval  prudent  men  will  not  ac- 
cept a title.  Men  who  make  large  deposits  select  a 
bank  whose  credit  is  unquestionable,  and  whose  man- 
agers are  above  suspicion.  Men  who  insure  early,  and 
carry  a policy  for  a lifetime,  select,  if  they  are  pru- 
dent, an  institution  whose  credit  has  survived  the  re- 
verses of  a generation.  A man  who  loves  his  wife  and 
children  desires  that  his  widow  shall  inherit  the  money 
that  is  laid  up  for  her,  and  not  a lawsuit. 

What  changes  thirty  years  show  ! The  millionaire 
banker  who  sneered  at  the  idea  of  insuring  his  life  for 
twenty  thousand  dollars,  and  who  said,  in  the  pride  of 
his  heart,  “ I will  turn  my  thousands  into  millions,” 
left  his  children  penniless.  The  rich  broker,  whose 
letter  of  credit  was  good  at  London  or  Berlin,  became 
bankrupt.  Men  are  in  subordinate  positions  to-day 
who  were  once  merchant  princes,  and  builded  up  a 
fortune  and  a name  by  toil  and  capacity. 

Trust  companies,  whose  rolls  of  directors  contain 
names  the  most  honorable  in  the  city,  have  not  only 
lost  their  entire  capital,  but  have  carried  dismay  and 
ruin  into  a thousand  homes.  Savings  banks,  after 
years  of  honorable  repute  and  success,  have  had  their 
whole  capital  stolen,  thus  robbing  the  widow  and 
wronging  the  fatherless.  Such  disasters  can  never 
happen  to  the  patrons  of  the  Mutual  Life.  Its  style  of 
business,  the  guards  thrown  around  its  investments, 
the  laws  by  which  it  is  regulated,  make  the  bonds  of 
this  company  as  safe  as  those  of  the  U.  S.  Government 
itself.  Besides  the  ample  security  afforded  to  all  de- 


MUTUAL  LIFE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 


99 


positors,  rich  or  poor,  the  policy-holders  are  partners, 
and  share  in  the  company’s  gigantic  earnings. 

Why  the  Mutual  Life  Leads. — In  every  line  of  bus- 
iness some  house  must  lead.  In  railroads  somebody 
will  be  king.  On  ’change  some  voice  will  be  potent. 
One  or  two  men  on  the  street  can  shake  the  market 
when  they  will.  In  a gigantic  lawsuit  it  is  known  be- 
forehand that  certain  advocates  will  be  engaged.  In 
cases  of  extreme  peril  certain  medical  men  will  be  sum- 
moned, though  a thousand  miles  away.  There  are  not 
a dozen  banking  houses  in  which  an  operator  would 
keej:)  on  deposit  four  millions.  But  there  are  such 
houses.  They  have  earned  their  position  by  years  of 
integrity.  A rich  corporation,  resolute  in  its  purpose 
to  fight  to  the  bitter  end,  paid  its  opponent  half  a mil- 
lion, and  took  the  suit  out  of  court,  on  the  opinion  of 
a lawyer  of  repute  that  the  company  had  no  case. 

Alongside  of  these  successful  men  and  successful  in- 
stitutions, in  the  forefront,  is  the  Mutual  Life.  It  has 
earned  its  position.  It  is  the  oldest  wholly  mutual 
company  in  the  land.  AVithout  controversy,  it  is  the 
most  reliable  and  the  most  successful.  It  can  com- 
mand all  improvements,  and  can  issue  all  forms  of 
policies  that  promise  safety  and  profit.  It  is  run  on 
the  line  of  true  economy.  Its  immense  assets,  gigantic 
earnings,  and  huge  business,  enable  it  to  offer  its  pro- 
tection cheaper  than  the  so-called  cheap  societies. 
During  all  the  years  of  its  life,  no  calamity  or  disaster 
has  touched  it.  ISo  advantage  is  taken  of  technical- 
ities. A liberal  policy  is  adopted,  and  in  all  cases  the 
insured  have  the  benefit  of  a doubt.  No  widow  pleads 
with  tears  for  the  little  j)ittance  to  keep  the  wolf  from 
the  door. 

The  Mutual  Life  a Benefactor. — It  is  not  a genial 
thing  to  pioneer  reform.  Men  resist  changes,  and  are 
slow  to  receive  new  improvements.  Generally  people 


100 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


liad  ratlier  bear  the  ills  they  have,  than  fly  to  others 
that  they  know  not  of.  The  populace  usually  fight  an 
innovation,  and  curse  the  innovator.  The  crowd  that 
saw  Fulton  off  in  his  steamboat  jeered  and  hooted,  and 
hoped  that  he  would  fail.  Harvey  was  rewarded  for 
his  discovery  of  the  circulation  of  the  blood  by  the  loss 
of  practice,  and  nearly  the  loss  of  life.  Waterhouse 
introduced  vaccine.  He  dared  not  go  out  at  nights. 
A crowd  surrounded  his  house  to  mob  him,  and  give 
him  a coat  of  tar  and  feathers. 

Life  insurance  was  not  popular  at  the  start.  It  was 
denounced  as  a lottery  and  a game  of  chance  with  Di- 
vine Providence.  It  tempted  Grod,  and  presaged  an 
early  death.  High  up  among  the  names  of  eminent 
benefactors  will  be  found  that  of  Alfred  Pell.  The 
system  of  life  insurance,  as  he  stated  it,  was  the  forma- 
tion of  a company  based  on  the  average  of  deaths. 
The  company  to  insure  its  own  members,  the  premiums 
to  be  the  capital.  All  the  earnings  and  XDroflts  to  be 
divided  among  the  policy-holders.  Taking  this  sys- 
tem, the  Mutual  Life  began  its  career.  It  battled 
ignorance,  bigotry  and  prejudice.  It  secured  the  best 
ability,  and  set  up  a high  standard  of  business  honor. 
It  purposed  to  deserve  public  confidence  ; to  win  cus- 
tom and  keep  it ; to  fix  the  company  on  the  solid  basis 
of  public  esteem.  With  a capital  of  eighty  millions,  it 
walks  by  the  same  rule  that  it  did  when  its  funds 
amounted  to  $102,  the  amount  of  the  first  premium. 

Fraud  in  Trade. — At  home  and  abroad  men  are 
victims  to  frauds.  Travelers  in  Europe  take  letters  of 
credit  on  mushroom  institutions,  who  promised  to  do 
business  under  the  accustomed  rates.  These  find  them- 
selves often  penniless  in  a strange  land.  In  London 
and  Paris  gaudy  establishments  spring  up  and  entrap 
the  unwary.  Those  who  prefer  glare  and  glitter  to 
solid  safety  are  caught.  Dingy  banking-houses  with 


MUTUAL  LIFE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 


101 


a half  century’s  repute  upon  them  are  passed  by. 
When  the  crash  comes,  patrons  find  that  jiromises  are 
one  thing,  security  another.  Great  business  houses 
are  often  at  their  wits’  end,  with  all  their  tact  and 
shrewdness,  to  prevent  imposition.  In  life  insurance 
officials  have  to  be  specially  watchful.  Diseased  men 
try  to  pass  for  sound  subjects.  Men  cheat  in  their 
age  ; they  hide  hereditary  taints  ; disguise  their  phys- 
ical condition  ; will  pass  the  doctor  and  try  to  insure 
another  person. 

All  departments  of  trade  feel  these  attempts  to  de- 
ceive. Ingenious  devices  are  introduced.  Banks  suf- 
fer from  forgeries,  from  raising  checks  and  bonds. 
These  devices  are  subtle  and  dangerous.  Men  and 
women  make  a trade  of  cheating.  Pastors  give  money 
to  furnish  food  for  the  starving  that  are  full ; and  to 
furnish  a coffin  and  a shroud  for  persons  who  are  not 
dead.  Fraud  has  little  chance  in  the  Mutual  Life.  A 
sickly  person  is  not  likely  to  be  insured  in  place  of  a 
stout  healthy  one.  Cunningly-executed  certificates  of 
death  will  not  pass.  The  relatives  of  pretended  dead 
men  seldom  obtain  money. 

Life  Insurance  not  a Hazard. — The  laws  of  storms 
and  tides  are  certain.  But  not  more  so  than  the  basis 
of  life  insurance.  Old  Probabilities  makes  his  an- 
nouncement on  the  basis  of  the  law  of  average.  Life 
insurance  rests  on  accurate  calculations.  A certain 
number  will  die  young,  a certain  number  die  in  old 
age.  An  average  number  will  die  in  a generation.  A 
certain  number  of  deaths  will  occur  in  every  ten  years. 
The  law  of  average  will  hold  good  in  all  life.  An  av- 
erage number  in  ten  years  will  be  drowned,  or  be 
burned  to  death,  or  be  crushed  under  the  wheels,  or  be 
run  away  with,  or  be  swept  off  by  pestilence  or  fever. 
The  average  number  of  careless  i^eople  in  the  land  can 
be  counted.  The  number  of  letters  flung  into  the  post- 


102 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


office  without  superscription  or  stamp  keeps  pace  with 
the  increase  of  population  in  all  the  large  cities.  Life 
insurance  does  not  pretend  to  forecast  what  man  or 
woman  will  die  within  a certain  period  ; but  the  num- 
ber that  will  die  can  be  accurately  estimated.  The  law 
of  gravitation  is  not  more  invariable. 

Business  Reverses. — In  the  violent  commercial  pan- 
ics and  reverses,  a well-managed  life  insurance  com- 
jiany  seems  to  be  the  only  thing  that  panics  and  re- 
verses cannot  shake.  Banks  blow  up.  Men  witlf  mil- 
lions fail.  Trust  companies  are  vainer  things  for  safety 
than  princes.  Men  who  have  enjoyed  the  confidence 
of  the  business  world  for  years  disapjiear  in  a night 
with  the  funds  of  others  in  their  trunks.  Men  cry  out : 
“ Whom  can  we  trust 

The  security  which  the  Mutual  Life  offers  is  ample. 
Men  now  insure  to  live.  They  make  an  investment  in 
life  insurance  that  they  may  have  an  elegant  support 
in  age.  The  shrewdest  and  most  successful  men  carry 
the  heaviest  policies.  It  is  a common  thing  for  active 
merchants  to  insure  for  $10,000,  or  even  $50,000.  Some 
men  have  carried  policies  as  high  as  $250,000.  But 
men  want  ample  security  who  make  an  investment  like 
this.  Every  man  is  liable  to  reverses  who  is  in  trade. 
ISio  man  risks  a venture  at  sea  without  taking  into  ac- 
count storms  and  huricanes.  The  stoutest  barque 
succumbs  to  the  cyclone.  To  all  business  men  there 
are  disasters  that  no  foresight  can  predict,  and  no  skill 
avert. 

A merchant  died  the  other  day — a member  of  one  of 
our  most  resputable  houses.  Nobody  placed  his  for- 
tune at  less  than  one  million  and  a half.  His  burial 
was  very  grand.  His  casket  was  lined  with  satin  and 
covered  with  black  velvet.  The  fioral  decorations  were 
ver}^  costly.  The  undertaker  warned  the  widow  not 
to  fling  her  money  away.  The  bill  for  the  coffin  has 


MUTUAL  LIFE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 


103 


not  been  settled,  nor  liave  the  flowers  been  paid  for. 
The  rich  man  died  a bankrupt. 

A merchant  took  out  a handsome  policy  when  he 
was  a young  man.  Reverses  came  upon  him,  and  he 
could  not  pay  his  premium.  He  went  to  the  oflice  to 
see  what  settlement  he  could  make.  To  his  great  sur- 
prise and  joy,  he  found  that  the  policy  could  take  care 
of  itself.  The  earnings  of  the  company  not  only  car- 
ried the  policy,  but  added  a handsome  sum  to  the 
original. 

Four  thousand  dollars  lay  in  the  bank.  The  owner 
made  up  his  mind  to  take  out  an  Endowment  policy. 
Other  counsels  prevailed.  He  tells  the  story  thus  : 
was  temiDted  to  go  on  the  street.  I lost  my  money, 
and  am  ruined.” 

On  one  of  our  ferryboats  can  be  seen  daily  a man 
who  is  prematurely  old.  His  walk  is  sad  and  slow. 
He  keeps  apart  from  men,  a hermit  in  the  midst  of  a 
crowd.  He  retired  from  business  with  an  ample  for- 
tune. He  was  fond  of  speculation,  and  the  cotton 
trade  had  a great  fascination  for  him.  A man  made 
his  acquaintance  who  ^‘knew  all  about  cotton.”  A 
business  arrangement  was  entered  into.  The  man  who 
had  “run  a plantation ” was  to  reside  in  New  Orleans, 
buy  and  ship  cotton.  The  capitalist  was  to  remain  in 
the  city,  cash  the  drafts,  and  sell  the  merchandise.  It 
was  the  old  story  ; on  one  side  misplaced  confidence, 
on  the  other  fraud.  The  fortune  melted  away  like 
snow  from  a hillside  in  April.  The  poor  fellow  was 
stripped  of  every  dollar.  His  brain  reeled  under  the 
misfortune.  In  his  sunny  days  he  could  have  taken 
out  an  endowment  that  would  have  stood  between  him 
and  want  and  despondency. 

Life  Insurance  as  an  Investment. — It  was  a grand 
service  to  bring  forward  life  insurance  as  as  a safe  and 
profitable  investment.  The  intelligent  and  beneficent 


104 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


improvements  enable  a policy-holder  to  invest  for  his 
own  good,  as  well  as  that  of  his  family.  Under  the 
shield  of  this  company  a policy-holder  can  travel 
abroad,  enjoy  iiictures  and  statuary,  live  elegantly,  and 
even  if  reverses  overtake  him,  can  have  an  ample 
reserve  for  age.  The  old  objection  is  nailed  to  the 
counter,  that  in  life  insurance  ‘^one  must  die  to  win.” 
A man  may  spend  all  his  income,  yet  with  a sound 
policy  to  be  paid  to  himself  at  a given  time,  the  future 
is  secure.  By  one  form  of  policy  a man  may  be  rich 
at  lifty,  when  most  he  needs  money.  A mean,  nig- 
gardly, seltish  spirit,  that  prevents  a man  from  insur- 
ing will  prevent  success.  ‘‘A  half  a cent  ruined  him, 
and  he  did  not  know  it.”  This  was  said  of  one  who 
failed.  He  was  sharp,  grinding  and  'exacting.  He 
always  got  the  best  of  the  bargain.  In  making  change 
the  half  cent  was  always  in  his  favor.  He  was  smart, 
and  could  look  out  for  number  one.  Had  he  flung  in 
the  half  cent  as  an  advertisement — cheerily  allowed 
others  to  share  in  his  prosperity — had  he  possessed 
largeness  of  heart,  he  would  have  crystallized  round 
him  these  other  elements  that  would  have  carried  him 
to  success.  His  meanness  carried  him  down. 

Personale. — Elegant  as  the  central  offices  are  in  ex- 
ternal api^earance,  they  bear  no  comparison  with  the 
quiet  and  subdued  beauty  of  the  interior.  The  rooms 
are  fitted  up  in  artistic  style,  such  a style  as  is  befitting 
a society  that  is  the  special  guardian  of  widows  and 
orphans.  Without  confusion,  turmoil  or  excitement, 
the  great  business  of  the  company  runs  like  a well-ad- 
justed machine.  Courtesy  and  jDoliteness  is  the  rule 
of  the  house. 

A merchant  opened  an  account  with  one  of  our 
banks,  and  deposited  $42,000.  He  said  to  the  presi- 
dent, “ I have  not  come  to  your  bank  simply  because  I 
believe  my  money  will  be  safe.  It  was  safe  in  the 


MUTUAL  LIFE  INSURANCE  COMPANY. 


105 


Bank,  where  I have  deposited  for  twenty-five  years. 
But  I want  to  do  business  with  you  because  you  are 
civil.  The  cashier  of  my  former  bank  is  smart  but 
impudent.  I called  at  the  bank  to-day  to  do  some 
business  with  the  cashier  ; I laid  my  hat  on  his  desk, 
which,  perhaps,  I ought  not  to  have  done.  He  looked 
at  me  with  the  air  of  eighty  millions,  and  said  with  an 
imperious  wave  of  the  hand,  ‘Take  that  hat  off,  sir.'^  I 
removed  the  hat.  The  official  then  said,  ‘ ITl  now  hear 
wliat  you  have  to  say.’  ‘ I have  nothing  to  say  to  you,’ 
I replied.  I went  to  the  bookkeeper,  had  my  account 
made  up,  and  I propose  never  again  to  cross  the 
threshold  of  the  institution.”  No  such  complaint  can 
be  made  against  the  officials  of  the  Mutual  Life.  The 
President,  Vice-President  and  Secretary,  who  are 
brought  into  immediate  personal  connection  with  the 
throng  that  fills  the  central  offices,  are  patterns  of 
politeness,  with  whom  it  is  a ifieasure  to  do  business. 
The  heads  of  the  various  departments  are  not  only 
talented  but  polite.  The  employees  are  expected  to. be 
not  only  smart  but  civil.  Eight  hours  a day  is  all 
that  is  required  of  the  subordinates  ; but  the  Presi- 
dent has  no  limit  to  his  labor.  He  arrives  early  and 
remains  late.  He  has  full  and  complete  oversight  of 
the  immense  business  of  his  company.  He  looks  to 
every  investment,  and  examines  personally  every 
check.  The  recent  failure  of  a large  trust  company  re- 
vealed the  fact  that  the  directors  attended  to  their 
own  business ; the  i3resident  was  employed  outside, 
and  that  the  concern  was  run  by  a mere  boy,  who  had 
every  facility  to  steal.  This  line  of  business  is  in 
marked  contrast  with  the  active  vigilance  of  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company. 


106 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


XLIY. 

FOLKS  OX  THE  PACIFIC  COAST. 

USIXESS  OUTLOOK.  — California,  though 
scarcely  thirty  years  old,  exhibits  the  same 
elements  of  success  that  mark  the  older 
portions  of  the  country.  Talents  that  win 
on  the  Atlantic  coast  win  on  the  Pacific  seaboard. 
Traits  that  carry  men  under  elsewhere  ruin  men  on  the 
Golden  coast.  The  rich  men  of  California  are  very 
rich.  They  are  few  in  number.  The  railroad  magnates 
are  millionaires  ; there  are  four  of  them,  but  one  is  not. 
A few  men  own  all  the  farms.  They  buy  land,  but 
never  sell.  The  great  mass  are  hewers  of  wood  and 
drawers  of  water.  A ranche  of  three  hundred  thou- 
sand acres,  a herd  of  fifteen  thousand  cattle  and  ten 
thousand  sheep  are  not  uncommon.  Wheat-fields 
thirty  miles  long  one  man  claims  for  his  own.  Every- 
thing is  a monopoly.  Four  men  control  the  gold 
market.  One  man  has  the  monopoly  of  gas  and  ice. 
Friedlander  is  king  of  the  grain  market.  Lux  and 
Miller  are  the  princes  of  cattle  men  ; they  cannot  count 
their  herds  nor  name  their  miles  of  j)asture.  There  is 
hardly  a rich  man  in  California  that  has  not  failed 
many  times  and  tried  his  hand  at  a dozen  things  before 
he  was  pronounced  a success. 

General  Williams  came  across  the  Plains  ; he 
landed  in  San  Francisco  penniless  and  unknown.  He 
turned  his  hand  to  anything  that  would  give  him  bread. 
He  drifted  into  the  law.  A client  gave  him  some  worth- 
less stock  as  a fee.  He  threw  it  into  his  safe  and  it  was 
regarded  of  no  acconnt.  The  despised  stock  was  Con- 


FOLKS  ON  THE  PACIFIC  COAST. 


107 


solidated  Virginia.  It  lifted  the  general  into  a million- 
aire. 

Michael  Reese  is  the  money-lender  of  the  coast. 
He  is  as  mean  as  dirt.  He  eats  at  third-class  restau- 
rants, because  there  is  no  fourth.  On  his  way  up  to 
fortune  he  has  been  dragged  through  the  mud  and 
mire  of  a great  city.  His  great  passion  is  gain.  Yet 
he  sometimes  does  a nice  thing.  He  loaned  the  Bank 
of  California  in  its  extremity  one  million  dollars. 

When  Flood  and  O’Briex  were  keeping  a rum- 
shop,  their  horse  was  groomed  by  a Mr.  Finegan.  He 
took  good  care  of  the  animal.  Oat  of  gratitude  for  his 
fidelity  in  small  things.  Flood  gave  him  a hint  when 
the  Bonanza  Mine  bloomed.  Finegan  took  the  hint 
and  came  out  of  the  experiment  owning  two  millions. 
He  is  a ruddy,  florid  Irishman,  about  forty — with  the 
culture  and  refinement  of  a horseman. 

General  Redington  turned  his  hands  to  all  sorts 
of  things  before  he  made  a fortune.  His  history  shows 
the  value  of  putting  this  and  that  together.  He  was  a 
dealer  in  quicksilver.  The  demand  for  this  article  in 
mining  is  limited.  The  Bonanza  men  gave  Redington 
an  order  for  a large  amount.  He  thought  something 
was  the  matter.  He  filled  the  order — went  out  on  the 
street  and  bought  stock,  and  secured  a fortune  of  four 
hundred  thousand  dollars. 

Alonzo  Haywood  was  flat  broke.  He  could  not 
get  trusted  for  a sack  of  flour  or  a piece  of  bacon. 
Without  these  he  could  not  prospect.  He  begged  hard 
for  one  more  indulgence.  With  his  bacon  on  his 
shoulder,  and  his  flour  under  his  arm,  he  started  for 
the  mines.  He  was  not  seen  for  a month.  When  he 
returned  he  was  a millionaire. 


108 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Baldwin,  of  California,  is  known  as  ‘‘Lucky 
Baldwin.”  He  is  a “jack  at  all  trades,”  and  a suc- 
cess everywhere.  He  was  a farmer,  a blacksmith,  and 
a stable-keeper.  He  has  run  a grocery,  owns  a hotel. 
He  managed  a theater.  He  appeared  as  a boatman  on 
a canal  at  St.  Louis.  He  became  a perambulating 
tradesman.  He  made  his  wagons  in  the  shape  of  boats 
to  cross  rivers.  He  drove  a spirited  trade  with  the 
saints  at  Salt  Lake  City  in  tobacco  and  rum.  He  ex- 
changed his  wagons  for  mules  and  packed  them  for  the 
coast,  trading  all  the  way.  His  luck  shadowed  him 
over  the  Plains.  He  was  just  behind  a party  who  were 
scalped.  He  was  a little  ahead  of  a party  who  were 
robbed.  The  Indians  stole  everybody’s  horses  but  his. 
He  reached  San  Francisco  in  the  morning,  and  before 
night  had  imrchased  a temjierance  hotel.  Other 
things  failing  him,  he  went  to  brick- making  and  made 
a handsome  profit.  Ophir  was  ruining  everybody. 
Baldwin  tried  his  hand  at  it  and  made  eighteen 
millions.  His  moral  status  is  not  high.  He  is  about 
fifty,  tall,  wiry,  slim,  dark,  nervous  and  energetic. 

Darius  0.  Mills  is  best  known  as  the  President  of 
the  Bank  of  California.  For  a while  he  was  sub- 
ordinate to  Balston.  He  was  greatly  indebted  to 
Ralston  for  his  business  success.  His  friendship  did 
not  blind  him  to  Ralston’s  faults.  He  left  the  bank, 
and  in  so  doing,  greatly  raised  his  own  credit.  Mills 
is  a fortunate  man.  He  is  not  rash  enough  to  make 
things  unsafe.  His  very  luxuries  are  to  him  a source 
of  wealth.  His  fine  estate  at  Milbrae  is  a milk  ranche, 
and  he  makes  money  out  of  his  imported  cattle  and 
his  dairy. 

Brown,  the  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  California,  must 
owe  his  iiosition  to  being  the  opposite  of  the  president 


JAMES  GLAIR  FLOOD. 


109 


and  vice-president.  He  is  gruff  and  uncivil.  He  has  a 
fashion  of  waving  people  off  when  he  is  through  with 
them,  that  is  very  offensive.  He  half  shuts  his  eyes 
when  he  talks  to  customers,  as  if  it  pained  him  to  be 
condescending.  There  is  nothing  in  his  history  or  abili- 
ties that  would  justify  his  rudeness.  He  officially 
signed  the  over-issue  of  stock  under  Halston,  that 
wrought  such  ruin  on  the  coast.  He  came  from  Ohio 
X30or  enough.  He  now  lives  in  fine  style  in  a fifty- 
thousand-dollar  house,  and  drives  a spanking  team  on 
the  road. 


XLY. 

JAMES  CLAIK  FLOOD. 

R.  FLOOD  is  said  to  be  the  richest  man  on  the 
Pacific  coast.  His  income  is  larger  than  that 
of  Rothschild.  Five  millions  a month  is  the 
yield  of  the  Bonanza  mines,  and  that  sum  is 
divided  between  four  persons.  Flood  is  about  fifty 
years  old,  stolid,  resolute  and  energetic.  He  kept 
what  is  called  in  San  Francisco,  a gin-mill.  It  was  a 
rude  establishment,  yet  patronized  by  the  market,  the 
stock  board,  and  the  wholesale  trade.  He  kept  no  bar. 
His  liquors  were  drawn  from  the  cask,  piled  one  above 
the  other.  He  j^i’ospered  and  was  forehanded.  He 
now  lives  in  plain  style  in  an  ordinary  dwelling,  and 
with  his  wife,  secures  the  comforts  of  a moderate  home. 

Flood’s  own  story  is  this  : was  on  Montgomery 

street  one  day,  and  a friend  said,  ‘Tread  me.’  I re- 
plied, ‘I  have  no  money.’  ‘Buy  Consolidated  Vir- 


110 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


ginia,’  was  the  answer.  Partly  in  jest,  and  partly  in 
earnest,  I said:  ‘Buy  me  a thousand  shares.’  The 
mine  was  an  old  one,  and  supposed  to  be  exhausted. 
My  order  was  filled  at  six  dollars  a share.  I continued 
to  buy  until  I got  control  of  the  mine,  which  was  about 
five  thousand  shares,  and  which  cost  me  about  sixty 
thousand  dollars.  My  friends  thought  me  crazy.  I 
thought  I had  a good  thing.  I ran  a secret  drift  through 
the  neighboring  mines,  and  struck  a rich  body  of  ore. 
In  ten  years  we  have  paid  thirty- three  millions  in  divi- 
dends, and  we  now  pay  a dividend  of  two  dollars  a 
month  in  gold,  on  five  hundred  and  forty  thousand 
shares.” 


XLYI. 

ISAAC  LAXKERSHIEM. 

,.  LANKEPSHIEM  is  a Christian  Jew — a 
man  of  resolute  and  decided  Christian  prin- 
ciples. He  is  about  sixty  years  of  age,  short 
and  compact.  He  is  one  of  the  best  busi- 
ness men  in  the  State.  He  has  never  broken  with 
his  Jewish  brethren.  They  have  great  confidence  in  his 
business  ability  and  integrity.  He  can  command  any 
amount  of  money  that  is  needed  in  any  speculation  in 
which  he  chooses  to  enter.  He  is  one  of  the  largest 
and  most  unostentatious  givers  in  the  land.  He  do- 
nated to  the  Baptist  college  what  he  called  a “little 
farm.”  The  farm  was  worth  ten  thousand  dollars, 
and  the  grain  housed  was  worth  three  thousand  more. 
He  sent  a check  of  one  thousand  dollars  to  a mission- 


ISAAC  LANKERSIIIEM. 


Ill 


ary’s  widow  in  India,  to  bring  her  family  home.  A 
mere  accident  brought  to  light  this  magnificent  gift. 
When  things  draw  heavy  in  the  church  Mr.  Lanker- 
shiem  looks  out  for  his  minister.  It  is  no  uncommon 
thing  for  this  gentleman  to  mail  a check  for  one  thou- 
sand dollars  to  his  pastor  to  encourage  ” him  in  his 
work. 

Mr.  Lankershiem  formed  a very  strong  attachment 
to  Elder  Knapp,  the  evangelist.  He  urged  Mr.  Knapp 
to  make  California  his  home.  Do  this,”  he  said,  ‘‘and 
I will  buy  a ranche,  pay  for  it,  and  take  care  of  it,  and 
give  you  one  half  the  increase.”  Mr.  Knapp’s  family 
would  not  leave  Illinois,  and  the  scheme  was  aban- 
doned. “Perhaps  you  would  like  to  sell  out,”  said 
the  capitalist.  “ I don’t  own  anything.”  “You  own 
half  of  the  ranche,”  was  the  reply.  “It  cost  eighteen 
thousand  dollars ; it  was  worth  thirty-six  thousand. 
Here  is  your  eighteen  thousand,  go  home  and  be 
happy.”  • 

Mr.  Lankershiem  is  one  of  the  great  agriculturists 
of  the  State.  His  ranche  is  measured  by  miles.  His 
wheat-fields  cover  fifty  thousand  acres.  His  cattle  and 
sheep  are  numbered  by  the  thousands.  Few  operators 
in  San  Francisco  equal  him  in  the  magnitude  of  his 
enterprises. 

The  great  monument  of  liberality  is  seen  in  Met- 
ropolitan Temple,  in  which  Rev.  Dr.  Kallock  preaches. 
It  is  a center  and  popular  place  of  resort,  costing  over 
one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  There  is  lit- 
tle doubt  that  this  magnificent  property  wall  be  trans- 
ferred to  the  church  without  the  incumbrance  of  one 
dollar,  through  the  liberality  of  this  extraordinary  man, 
whose  name  should  be  enshrined  in  the  affections  of 
the  Baptist  world  and  grouped  with  the  millionaire 
givers  on  the  Atlantic  coast. 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


m 


XLYII. 

W.  C.  EALSTOX. 

ALSTON  was  long  the  popular  idol  of  San 
Francisco.  In  the  fullness  of  his  manhood 
and  the  fullness  of  his  strength,  he  gave  all 
he  had  to  the  city  he  loved  so  well.  He  was 
pre-eminently  great,  and  was  never  more  so  than  the 
day  his  body  was  drawn  from  the  sullen  water.  As  a 
business  man,  no  one  surpassed  him  in  boldness  and 
force.  His  intuitions  never  failed  him.  He  made  the 
Bank  of  California,  which  he  founded,  the  financial 
power  of  the  State.  It  was  the  center  of  all  great  en- 
terprises, and  the  rendezvous  of  bold,  daring  men. 
His  talent  brought  him  to  the  front. 

He  came  promptly  and  XDrominently  ito  the  front. 
He  entered  into  every  scheme  that  promised  to  honor 
the  State.  He  was  a public  man  in  every  sense  of  the 
word.  He  took  ux)on  himself  the  exx)ense  of  a public 
host.  He  dined  and  wined,  and  sent  on  his  way  the 
visitor  with  gratitude  and  wonder.  He  drove  his 
friends  in  his  team  and  relay  horses  to  Belmont,  even 
ahead  of  the  railroad,  that  his  guests  might  receive 
deserved  attention. 

His  style  of  life  would  have  killed  most  men.  He 
rose  at  six,  and  every  hour  of  the  day  was  occupied. 
He  was  the  Bank  of  California,  and  his  word  was  law. 
He  owned  the  water-works,  valued  at  millions.  He 
furnished  funds  to  move  the  crops.  No  man  could 
present  a cause  designed  to  helj)  or  benefit  California, 
that  did  not  find  a friend  and  helx^er  in  Ealston.  Had 
his  moral  character  equalled  his  business  ability,  he 
would  have  been  the  most  popular  business  man  of  the 


JAMES  LICK. 


113 


nation.  The  crisis  came  upon  him,  and  he  was  not 
equal  to  it.  A man  of  untold  wealth,  he  died  poor. 
He  died  as  he  had  lived,  the  most  popular  man  on  the 
coast.  He  died  at  fifty,  and  his  sun  went  down  in  the 
darkness.  The  day  before  he,  died  his  repute  wms 
never  higher.  He  knew  his  time  had  come.  He  knew 
that  six  millions  of  the  Bank  capital  was  missing.  He 
knew  that  in  twenty-four  hours  he  would  be  exposed 
and  ruined.  He  turned  from  his  splendid  mansion,  and 
he  passed  the  night  with  a relative.  The  next  morn- 
ing he  met  the  directors  in  the  little  room  where  so 
long  he  had  reigned  a sovereign.  The  worst  was 
known.  He  turned  from  the  office  by  a side  door, 
threw  himself  into  the  waters  of  the  bay,  and  was  a 
corpse  before  the  discussion  closed. 


XLVIII. 

JAMES  LICK. 

R.  LICK  gave  Fortune  a long  chase  before  he 
overtook  her.  In  the  marble  hotel  that 
bears  his  name  he  lived  like  a hermit  in  a 
den  that  would  not  have  been  tidy  for  a 
hostler.  He  died  at  war  wfith  Grod  and  man,  and 
denied  the  Saviour  with  his  dying  breath.  He  made 
and  revoked  three  trust  deeds,  and  would  have  re- 
voked the  fourth  had  he  lived  long  enough.  His 
eccentricities  grew  out  of  a love  affair  when  he  was  a 
young  man.  He  loved  a miller’s  daughter,  but  as  he 
owned  no  mill  the  father  packed  him  off.  He  kept  her 
8 


114 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


memory  ripe,  and  when  he  had  money  he  erected  a 
mill  and  adorned  it  with  mahogany  and  costly  woods. 
Mr.  Lick  never  married. 

Mr.  Lick  was  an  adventurer.  He  made  pianos  and 
failed.  He  drifted  about  from  pillar  to  post,  and  at 
last  landed  in  California.  His  common  sense  displayed 
itself.  His  companions  rushed  for  the  mines.  Lick 
remained  in  the  city.  In  the  sand-hills,  in  the  paper 
and  cloth  houses,  and  streets  knee-deep  in  mud,  in 
a city  unpaved,  unlighted,  and  without  sidewalks,  he 
saw  the  future  queen  of  the  coast.  He  invested 
eighteen  thousand  dollars,  his  entire  fortune,  in  city 
lots,  which  he  bought  by  the  mile.  In  taking  posses- 
sion, the  squatters  and  the  Chinese  resisted  him.  He 
served  his  writs  of  dispossession  personally,  and  at  the 
mouth  of  a pistol.  He  held  on  to  his  purchases,  and 
the  rise  of  property  gave  him  untold  wealth.  A full- 
length  portrait  hangs  in  the  rooms  of  the  Pioneer  Club. 
It  represents  a well-preserved  man  of  sixty,  who  might 
pass  for  president  of  a college,  or  the  late  Abraham 
Lincoln. 


XLIX. 


LELAND  STANFORD. 


OVERNOR  STANFORD  is  one  of  the  four 
great  railroad  magnates  of  the  coast.  No- 
body puts  him  down  at  less  than  fourteen 
millions.  Like  most  of  the  rich  men  of 
California,  he  engaged  in  a dozen  enterprises  before  the 
right  thing  turned  up.  He  is  about  forty  years  of  age. 


LELAND  STANFORD. 


115 


He  is  a stocky,  compactly-built  person,  with  a resolute, 
half-defiant  air,  a complexion  like  W ebster’ s,  of  which 
his  uncle  said:  “Dan,  go  into  the  army;  gunpowder 
won’t  sj)oil  your  face.”  Mr.  Stanford  was  a farmer, 
a trader ; during  all  the  while  he  was  student,  and 
when  he  came  to  the  front  he  possessed  a capital  busi- 
ness education.  A silent  man,  he  had  great  energy, 
tact  and  push.  In  every  failure  he  recovered  himself. 
He  was  the  first  Republican  governor  of  the  State.  He 
insisted  upon  being  inaugurated  as  the  constitution 
required,  though  the  capitol  was  under  water  and 
had  to  be  reached  by  boats. 

California  was  isolated.  The  Rocky  mountains  must 
be  passed  and  railroad  connections  opened  with  the 
East.  Four  men  believed  this  could  be  done, — Stan- 
ford, Colton,  Crocker,  Hopkins.  The  rest  of  the 
world  denounced  the  enterprise.  The  project  was  met 
by  a storm  of  ridicule.  Shrewd  men  said  the  scheme 
was  visionary ; its  conception,  folly  ; its  end,  ruin. 
Any  man  who  had  a hundred  dollars  had  a chance  to 
invest.  The  gigantic  enterprise  of  an  overland  route 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  owes  its  success  to  the 
dogged  obstinacy  and  perseverance  of  Leland  Stanford. 
Let  those  laugh  who  win.  Stanford  has  fourteen  mil- 
lions. Hopkins  died  worth  fifteen  millions.  Colton 
and  Crocker  live  in  princely  style.  These  four  men, 
who  had  not  money  enough  at  the  start  to  buy  a sup- 
per, are  now  the  railroad  magnates  of  the  world. 

On  one  of  theloftj^  sand-hills  on  which  the  city  of  San 
Francisco  rests — known  as  Nob  Hill — stands  the  home 
mansion  of  Gov.  Stanford.  It  is  more  gorgeous  than 
any  private  dwelling  west  of  the  Rocky  mountains.  It 
has  no  rival  in  the  land.  The  grand  salon  of  the  Tuil- 
leries  ; the  library  of  the  Marlborough  house  ; the  ball- 
room of  Buckingham  palace,  are  not  as  elegant.  The 
blue  room,  the  red  room,  the  Pompeiian  room,  the 


116 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


dining-room,  the  ijicture-gallery,  library,  drawing- 
room, conservatory,  and  saloon  par  excellence,  open- 
ing one  into  the  other  on  the  same  floor,  are  regal. 
The  harmony  is  exquisite,  running  even  into  the 
knobs  of  the  doors,  the  bell-pulls,  the  shades,  the 
lamps,  curtains  and  ornaments.  The  house  is  not  on 
show.  Occasionally  to  personal  friends  the  lady  of  the 
mansion  throws  open  its  treasures  to  inspection. 


L. 

EEV.  JOHN  HEMPHILL. 

H.  HEMPHILL  is  the  popular  pastor  of  Cal- 
vary Presbyterian  Church  of  San  Francisco. 
He  is  an  Irishman  by  birth,  fluent,  magnetic, 
attractive.  He  is  a natural  orator,  enthusi- 
astic, picturesque  and  illustrative.  His  voice  is  reson- 
ant and  magnetic,  full  and  clear.  He  is  afiiuent  in 
social  gifts,  and  without  disj)ute  is  the  leading 
Presbyterian  clergyman  on  the  coast.  Calvary  Church 
ranks  foremost  among  the  churches  of  the  city,  and  is 
worthy  of  its  young  pastor.  Mr.  Hemphill  is  distin- 
guished for  indomitable  industry.  For  years  he  has 
held  his  high  position  -with  honor  and  success.  He 
came  to  the  coast  in  1869  on  a mission  of  charity. 
The  call  to  Calvary  Church  was  unexpected  and  flat- 
tering. He  returned  to  Ireland,  took  an  honorable 
dismission  from  the  Union  Road  Church,  and  entered 
upon  his  popular  career  in  1870.  He  is  a sturdy  de- 
fender of  Evangelical  truth,  and  everywhere  honors 
the  Cross. 


RIGHT  REV.  BISHOP  KIPP, 


117 


LI. 

RIGHT  REV.  BISHOP  KIPP. 

'ji^v^HE  Bishop  of  California  was  consecrated  in 
1853.  He  has  maintained  with  distin- 
guished  honor  the  high  fame  of  his  family. 

He  was  trained  for  the  law.  His  tine  execu- 
tive ability  and  business  tact  comes  from  that  early 
training.  He  changed  his  profession,  went  through 
the  general  Theological  Seminary  of  New  York,  and 
was  ordained  over  St.  Peter’s  in  Morristown.  He 
served  for  a season  the  aristocratic  Grace  Church  of 
New  York.  He  was  transferred  to  St.  Peter’s  at  Al- 
bany, where  he  distinguished  himself  by  his  eloquence 
and  authorship.  He  won  national  fame  by  his 
Double  Witness.”  He  was  called  with  great  unan- 
imity to  the  bishoprick  of  the  Pacific  coast.  He  took 
the  crude  materials  of  California,  and  moulded  them 
into  a compact  and  thriving  denomination.  He  spent 
thirty  thousand  dollars  to  make  his  diocese  what  it  is. 
His  social  rank  has  always  been  high,  and  he  has  a 
great  hold  on  the  wealth  of  San  Francisco.  He  is  a 
learned,  eloquent  and  catholic  pulpit  orator.  He  has 
marked  artistic  and  msthetic  tastes.  His  library,  stat- 
uary, and  other  adornments  of  his  residence,  make 
his  home  one  of  the  most  attractive  of  the  State. 


118 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


LII. 

REV.  ISAAC  S.  KALLOCK. 

R.  KALLOCK  is  a popular  orator,  and  has 
the  masses  at  his  command.  They  come 
when  he  calls  them.  Before  his  house  was 
built  he  preached  in  a hall,  cold,  uncomfort- 
able, and  barn-like.  It  was  full,  rain  or  shine.  In  his 
own  massive  audience-room,  the  crowd  laugh  or  cry,  as 
he  suggests.  His  collections,  which  are  an  indication 
of  popular  feeling,  average  four  hundred  dollars  a 
month  the  year  through. 

The  United  Churches  proposed  to  have  a popular 
service  on  Sunday  night.  Six  thousand  dollars  were 
needed  to  carry  on  the  work.  A preacher  and  two 
pastors  to  support  him  were  indispensable.  While  the 
discussion  was  going  on,  Kallock  went  out  and  hired  a 
hall  at  his  own  expense  ; kept  it  crowded  for  six 
months  ; he  asked  no  odds,  his  plate  collections  pay- 
ing everything,  and  leaving  him  a magnificent  surplus. 

Mr.  Kallock  is  in  the  prime  of  life ; he  is  tall  and 
robust,  over  six  feet  high,  and  of  magnificent  propor- 
tions. He  is  fearless  and  dashing.  A massive  crop  of 
curly  auburn  hair,  which  he  never  brushes,  covers  his 
head.  He  is  a man  of  indomitable  industry  and  never 
tires.  He  runs  the  Baptist  denomination  on  the  coast 
from  necessity.  He  does  what  other  men  will  not  do. 
He  owns  and  edits  the  Evangel.  He  is  a great 
power  in  conventions  and  councils.  He  controls  the 
college  and  holds  the  educational  interest  in  his  hand. 
He  has  hot  friends  and  deadly  foes,  as  such  a man 
must  always  have.  He  has  fought  his  way  to  position 
through  incessant  hostility.  He  came  to  the  coast  to 


HOK  A.  N.  TOWNE, 


119 


do  work  which  he  will  probably  finish.  As  he  put  it 
in  his  opening  sermon  : — ‘‘  I shall  make  San  Francisco 
my  home.  I have  brought  my  knitting  work,  and  pro- 
pose to  stay.” 


LIII. 


HON.  A.  N.  TOWNE. 


HE  Central  Pacific  Hoad  is  one  of  the  best 
managed  lines  in  the  country-.  It  has  one 
of  the  ablest  general  superintendents.  He 
looks  anything  but  a railroad  man.  His 
style  of  dress  is  scholarly,  and  he  could  easily  be  taken 
for  a merchant  or  banker.  He  has  a quiet  reserve  that 
impresses  one.  His  eye  is  bright,  his  manners  pleasant 
and  winning.  He  is  a Massachusetts  boy,  and  began 
his  railroad  experience  as  a brakeman  on  a freight 
train.  He  was  bright,  capable  and  winning.  His 
methods  attracted  attention,  illustrating  the  proverb : 
“A  stone  fit  for  the  wall  is  not  long  out  of  place.” 
A telegram  one  day  stopped  his  train  and  he  was 
ordered  to  the  general  office.  He  was  pointed  to  a 
chair,  told  to  take  a seat  at  the  desk.  ‘‘  I know 
nothing  about  clerking  it,”  said  young  Towne.  ‘‘You 
can  do  what  you  are  told,  I snj)pose,”  was  the  senten- 
tious response.  He  did  what  he  was  bid,  and  did  it 
well. 

The  Pacific  Central  was  in  search  of  a siij^erintend- 
ent.  It  was  nearly  impossible  to  find  a man  who  had 
executive  ability  sufficient  to  control  turbulent  opera- 
tives. Towne  was  recommended  as  the  right  man  for 


120 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


the  right  place.  The  liberal  offer  nearly  took  Towne’s 
breath  away:  ‘‘twelve  thousand  dollars  a year  to 
begin  with.”  Enijoloyees  of  the  road  were  more 
amused  than  startled  at  the  advent  of  the  “superin- 
tendent.” A quiet,  pleasant,  gentlemanly-spoken 
man.  The  executive  ability  for  which  Mr.  Towne  has 
always  been  celebrated,  began  to  work.  The  manage- 
ment was  kept  out  of  sight.  There  was  no  noise,  no 
bluster,  no  threats.  Turbulent  and  ungovernable  men 
somehow  slipped  out  and  loyal  men  came  in.  The 
road  assumed  a movement  not  unlike  a w^ell-oiled 
locomotive.  Of  his  methods  Mr.  Towne  says : “I 
systematize  my  work.  . It  never  drives  me.  I keep 
ahead  of  it.  Every  day’s  work  is  finished  before  I 
leave  my  office.  1 use  all  persons  alike,  whatever 
may  be  their  positions  on  the  road.  In  business  I con- 
sider everyone  entitled  to  courteous  treatment.  When 
I deny  a favor  I try  to  do  it  as  though  it  was  painful 
to  myself.” 


LIY. 

KEY.  A.  L.  STONE,  D.D. 

K.  STONE  is  an  influential  man,  and  a model 
pastor.  He  has  earned  his  position  by  years 
of  labor  and  success.  He  was  the  popular 
pastor  of  Park  Street  Church,  Boston.  He 
accepted  a call  to  the  coast.  And  few  men  have  more 
to  show  for  the  years  of  toil  for  which  he  has  labored, 
than  Dr.  Stone.  He  is  firmly  built,  with  a healthy 
organization.  His  presence  in  the  pulpit  is  winning. 


WILLIAM  SHABOK 


121 


His  voice  is  sonorous  and  clear  as  a bell.  His  pulpit 
manners  are  in  excellent  taste.  His  sermons  are  short 
and  attractive.  He  has  held  his  position  over  the  head 
of  the  First  Congregational  Church  for  more  than  a 
dozen  years.  His  own  society  has  ke]3t  pace  with  the 
secular  growth  of  the  city,  in  wealth  and  beauty.  He 
began  his  ministry  of  the  First  Church  in  a small  wooden 
structure,  near  what  is  now  Chinatown.  His  present 
house  of  worship  is  one  of  the  most  commanding  in 
the  city.  The  church  is  large,  the  location  fashiona- 
ble, the  spire  lofty,  and  all  the  appointments  line. 
He  is  necessarily  a leader.  He  is  discreet,  prudent, 
fraternal,  eloquent,  and  his  judgment  is  weighty.  It  is 
probable  Hr.  Stone  will  close  his  life-work  with  this 
people. 


LY. 

WILLIAM  SHARON. 

R.  SHARON  is  a member  of  the  United 
States  Senate  from  Nevada.  His  home  is 
in  San  Francisco.  He  is  not  much  to  look 
at — blonde,  slim,  wiry,  restless.  He  is  keen 
and  smart.  In  Ohio  he  practised  law.  He  went  into 
Real  estate  and  failed.  He  became  a broker  in  San 
Francisco  and  was  cleaned  out.  Ralston,  then  in  his 
glory,  formed  his  acquaintance,  and  found  in  Sharon  a 
man  after  his  own  heart.  Ralston  sent  him  to  Nevada 
City  to  look  after  the  interests  of  the  Bank  of  Califor- 
nia. He  showed  marked  ability  in  protecting  Ral- 
ston’s loans.  He  secured  some  valuable  mines,  among 


123 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


them  Belcher  and  Ophir.  He  secured  the  monopoly  of 
a profitable  railroad.  He  made  money  for  himself  and 
his  employer.  Working  with  Ralston  he  became  very 
rich.  When  Ralston  died,  he  assumed  his  debts  and 
took  the  estate.  He  gave  the  Bank  of  California  five 
millions  to  repair  Ralston’s  waste.  He  settled  on  Mrs. 
Ralston,  after  she  had  been  abandoned  by  all  her 
friends,  a fortune  of  nearly  half  a million,  assigning  as 
a reason,  ‘‘  She  is  the  widow  of  my  benefactor.” 


LYI. 

JOSEPH  C.  DUNCAN.  • 

!!H  men  suddenly  go  out  of  sight  on  the 
coast.  A year  ago,  Duncan  would  have  been 
written  down  as  one  of  the  successful  men 
of  San  Francisco.  With  business  men,  who 
did  not  know  him  thoroughly,  he  had  a fair  standing. 
He  began  as  an  auctioneer.  He  made  some  money  in 
a gift  lottery  scheme.  He  was  believed  to  be  rich,  and 
won  i3ublic  confidence.  He  erected  a costly  banking 
house,  and  as  a trustee  held  the  xhttance  of  the  poor, 
and  funds  of  the  widow  and  fatherless.  His  business 
was  a sham  from  foundation  to  turret.  His  relations, 
who  were  in  office,  were  mere  pupi)ets  moved  hj  his 
will.  One  day  his  house  came  crashing  down.  Great 
frauds  were  exposed.  Disastrous  sxDeculations  used  up 
the  deposits.  Stock  was  over-issued  ; gigantic  frauds 
laid  bare,  and  the  great  robber  himself  fied  between 
two  days.  He  was  captured  skulking  about  the  dark 


PETER  DONAHUE. 


123 


places  of  the  town.  Bold  in  the  wrong — heroic  in 
crime — daring  in  theft,  when  arrested  he  cried  and 
whined  and  supplicated  like  a coward.  He  begged  for 
mercy,  who  had  shown  no  pity.  He  prayed  the  public 
to  spare  his  family,  for  whom  he  had  no  regard.  He 
left  his  elegant  home  for  a prison.  He  gave  up  an 
honored  name  at  sixty  for  the  repute  of  a perjurer  and 
the  wages  of  sin. 


LVII. 

PETER  DONAHUE. 

R.  DONAHUE  is  one  of  the  few  men  on  the 
coast  who  have  made  a fortune  by  hard  blows, 
well  directed.  He  is  a Scotchman,  about 
fifty,  resolute  in  build,  and  rugged.  He  was 
a blacksmith,  and  carries  about  with  him  the  air  of  a 
man  who  has  had  hard  usage.  When  quite  young  he 
proved  himself  to  be  too  able  and  too  intelligent  to 
work  at  the  forge.  He  displayed  great  ability  to  man- 
age men.  He  found  his  sphere  when  put  in  charge  of 
a machine-shop.  As  a machinist  he  worked  slowly 
and  sturdily  toward  the  front.  He  built  the  city  gas 
works  and  took  that  valuable  stock  as  his  pay.  As  a 
steamboat  owner,  he  threw  himself  against  the  Pacific 
Coast  Railroad  monopoly.  He  built  the  Santa  Rosa 
road  with  his  own  money,  without  subsidy  or  outside 
aid.  He  connected  it  with  San  Francisco  by  steam- 
boat. His  commercial  honor  stands  high.  His  word 
is  as  good  as  his  bond.  He  is  worth  four  millions,  and 
his  donations  to  charity  are  large. 


134 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


LYIIT. 

JAMES  R.  KEENE. 

R.  KEENE’ S father  was  a merchant  in  Eng- 
land. Commercial  disaster  overtook  him. 
He  came  to  America  to  mend  his  fortune. 
The  son  had  a good  business  education. 
The  lad  knew  that  he  had  his  own  fortune  to  make, 
and  went  about  it.  He  was  a sharp  and  daring  boy. 
Speculation  had  a charm  for  him.  A considerate 
broker  gave  him  a start.  He  did  the  street  work  for  the 
house  that  helped  him.  He  was  bold,  daring,  rash,  and 
improved  every  opportunity  to  rise.  He  made  himself 
so  useful  to  his  employers,  that  they  bought  him  a seat 
in  the  Board.  His  j udgment  was  quick  and  accurate. 
His  style  was  mysterious  and  dazzling.  He  could  mis- 
lead and  demoralize  the  market  when  he  chose.  He 
was  popular,  and  often  was  cheered  when  in  the  mar- 
ket, when  he  made  one  of  his  dazzling  dashes. 

His  lirst  great  operation  was  in  ‘ ‘ Belcher  and  Crown 
Point,”  through  which  he  cleared  a quarter  of  a mil- 
lion. In  1874  he  wrote  up  three  millions.  He  tried 
Ophir,  and  in  one  week  won  six  hundred  and  forty 
thousand  dollars.  He  bearded  Flood  and  O’Brien  in 
their  den ; denounced  Consolidated  Virginia,  and  pre- 
dicted its  demoralization.  His  daring  and  dash  won 
him  renown.  In  an  incredibly  short  time  he  was  regis- 
tered as  worth  five  millions. 

The  failure  of  the  Bank  of  California  showed  of 
what  stock  Keene  was  made.  The  house  that  helped 
him  in  his  struggling  days  was  involved  by  the  bank, 
at  the  amount  of  two  millions.  Before  the  worst  was 
known,  Keene  went  to  his  friend,  and  said;  ‘Hf  a 


CHIEF-JUSTICE  DALY. 


125 


quarter  of  a million  will  help  you,  here  is  my  check.” 
He  was  as  liberal  in  the  distribution  of  his  funds  as  he 
was  successful  in  gaining  fortunes.  He  gave  his  father 
one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  He  made 
his  relatives  rich.  His  private  charities  were  often 
in  donations  as  large  as  fifty  thousand  dollars.  He 
was  fiesh  and  blood  ; his  nerves  were  neither  iron  nor 
steel,  and  no  living  man  could  bear  the  strain  of  his 
style  of  business.  His  health  gave  way,  and  he  sought 
relief  on  the  Atlantic  slope.  In  Wall  street  he  created 
a sensation,  and  made  himself  a man  of  mark  at  once. 
Want,  like  an  armed  man,  came  upon  the  working  fam- 
ilies of  San  Francisco.  Mr.  Keene  placed  a liberal  sum 
of  money  at  the  disposal  of  the  churches,  with  the  re- 
quest that  suffering  might  be  relieved  without  regard 
to  sect  or  nationality. 


LIX. 

CHIEF-JUSTICE  DALY. 

X.  CHAHLES  P.  DALY,  Chief  Justice  of 
the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  is  eminent  as 
a jurist,  and  a literary  and  scientific  writer. 
As  a geographist  his  fame  has  crossed  the 
seas.  In  a recent  visit  to  Europe  he  was  honored  by 
the  scientific  world.  The  treasures  of  the  museums 
were  thrown  open  to  him,  and  he  was  the  guest  of  the 
prominent  jurists  of  London. 

Judge  Daly  was  born  in  the  city  of  Xew  York.  His 
father  came  from  the  North  of  Ireland,  and  worked  at 


12G 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


his  trade  as  a carpenter  for  many  years.  He  was  a man 
of  character,  talented,  intelligent,  and  energetic.  He 
soon  outgrew  the  workshop,  and  established  himself  in 
business  on  the  spot  where  the  Tribune  building  now 
stands. 

His  father  died,  leaving  him  in  tender  years  de- 
pendent on  his  stepmother.  Young  Daly  determined 
to  earn  his  own  living,  and  be  a burden  to  no  one.  He 
obtained  a clerkship  in  Savannah,  where  he  was  over- 
worked and  badly  treated.  He  secured  the  rugged 
position  of  a sailor  before  the  mast,  and  spent  three 
years  on  the  sea.  He  returned  to  New  York  and  ap- 
prenticed himself  to  a trade,  working  vigorously  by 
day  and  employing  his  nights  by  study.  He  joined  a 
literary  society,  and  became  an  earnest  and  eloquent 
debater.  An  accident  turned  his  attention  to  the  Law. 
The  society  embraced  an  unusual  number  of  talented 
men.  Most  of  the  boys  became  celebrated — eloquent 
clergymen,  eminent  lawyers,  rich  merchants,  learned 
jurists,  actors  and  journalists. 

Among  the  members,  Mr.  Soule  was  distinguished  as 
a lawyer.  He  was  attracted  by  the  rare  gifts,  the  in- 
dustry and  intelligence  exhibited  by  young  Daly..  He 
sought  an  introduction,  and  advised  the  young  me- 
chanic to  study  law.  This  could  not  be  thought  of, 
as  young  Daly  had  no  means  to  devote  to  education, 
and  his  time  was  not  his  own.  The  lawyer  was  so 
earnest  that  he  proposed  to  furnish  funds  to  send  the 
young  man  to  Union  College.  This  proposal  was  not 
accepted,  as  Mr.  Daly  could  not  put  himself  under 
such  heavy  obligations  to  any  one. 

Soon  after  this  offer  was  made,  the  master  died.  Mr. 
Soule  renewed  his  offer  immediately  for  Mr.  Daly  to 
take  a seat  in  his  office  as  a student-at-law,  as  death 
had  canceled  the  indentures.  A year  and  a half  of 
service  remained  unfulfilled,  yet  the  apprentice  was 


CHIEF-JUSTICE  D.-x^Y. 


127 


now  his  own  master.  With  a delicate  sense  of  honor 
which  has  marked  Judge  Daly’s  whole  public  career, 
he  refused  to  take  advantage  of  his  position.  Legally 
he  was  a free  man  ; morally  he  felt  himself  bound  to 
serve  out  his  time.  The  widow  was  embarrassed  and 
needed  his  services.  He  could  aid  her  by  conducting 
the  business.  No  j)ersuasions  could  induce  him  to  re- 
linquish his  purpose  to  serve  out  his  apprenticeship. 

When  his  indentures  were  fully  canceled,  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  law,  under  the  guidance  of  his 
steadfast  friend,  Mr.  Soule.  He  started  on  a pittance 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  a year.  He  roomed 
in  the  office,  was  always  on  hand  and  always  at  work, 
and  soon  made  himself  so  useful  that  his  salary  was 
raised  to  three  hundred  dollars.  In  those  days  a 
student  had  to  study  seven  years  before  he  could  be 
admitted  to  the  bar.  For  three  years  young  Daly 
toiled  on,  distinguished  for  diligence  and  integrity. 
Mr.  Howley,  the  senior  member  of  the  firm,  was  so 
captivated  by  the  close  application  of  his  student  to 
study,  that  he  made  a movement  to  have  the  seven- 
year  rule  relaxed,  and  an  allowance  of  time  granted  to 
Mr.  Daly.  This  motion  was  seconded  by  some  of  the 
eminent  men  of  the  bar,  who  regarded  young  Daly  as 
a match  for  any  one.  Chief- Justice  Nelson  heard  the 
motion.  The  examination  was  made  in  the  presence 
of  the  Court  and  Bar.  At  the  expiration  of  three  years 
and  six  months  of  study,  Mr.  Daly  was  admitted  to 
practice  in  all  the  courts  in  the  State.  He  opened  an 
office  with  Mr.  McElrath  as  partner.  Soon  after,  Mr. 
McElrath  turned  his  attention  to  journalism.  He  pur- 
chased the  New  Yorker^  changed  it  to  the  Tribune^ 
took  the  position  of  publisher,  introduced  Mr.  G-reeley 
as  editor,  and  swung  that  influential  sheet  on  the  tide 
of  success.  Mr.  Daly  formed  a partnership  with  Mr. 


128 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Bloomfield,  and  entered  at  once  npon  a successful 
practice. 

Political  honors  were  in  store  for  him,  and  in  1843 
he  was  elected  to  the  New  York  Legislature.  Here 
the  great  temptation  of  his  life  assailed  him.  The 
glamour  of  political  distinction  threw  on  his  pathway 
its  fascinating  glare.  He  was  offered  a nomination  for 
the  State  Senate,  and  to  a seat  in  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States.  Each  nomination  was  an  equivalent  to 
an  election.  A young  man  in  the  flush  of  youth,  on 
the  threshold  of  life,  had  to  choose  between  the  drudg- 
ery of  the  law  and  the  fascination  of  political  posi- 
tion. He  took  a judicial  view  of  the  situation,  and  ex- 
amined both  sides.  He  knew  that  legal  eminence  was 
incompatible  with  the  life  of  a politician.  He  rejected 
the  glittering  bauble  and  bowed  down  to  hard  work. 

Eminence  came  to  him  sooner  than  he  thought.  A 
vacancy  existed  on  the  bench  of  the  Common  Pleas 
Court,  Judge  Inglis’  time  being  out.  Candidates  were 
numerous,  and  tlieir  friends  were  active.  First  and 
foremost.  Judge  Inglis  was  a candidate  for  re-nomina- 
tion. He  was  a Whig,  and  the  appointing  powers  were 
Democratic.  Many  Democrats  were  opposed  to  intro- 
ducing x)olitics  into  the  judiciary.  They  said  a good 
judge  should  not  be  lost  to  the  State  because  he  was  a 
Whig.  Judge  Daly  was  an  earnest  and  active  friend 
to  Judge  Inglis,  and  urged  his  re-appointment.  The 
movement  split  the  party,  and  Gov.  Bouck  was  in  a 
quandary.  He  needed  the  votes  of  both  sides.  He 
would  make  enemies  should  he  nominate  or  refuse  to 
nominate  Judge  Inglis.  Gov.  Marcy,  with  his  sturdy 
common  sense,  advised  the  Governor  to  throw  both 
candidates  overboard,  and  select  a new  man.  Mr. 
Croswell,  of  the  Argus ^ gave  his  voice  in  the  same  di- 
rection. Gov.  Marcy  added,  “ If  I were  in  your  sit- 
uation, Gov.  Bouck,  I would  nominate  Charles  P. 


CHIEF-JUSTICE  DALY. 


129 


Daly.”  Mr.  Daly  was  ignorant  of  Avliat  was  going  on. 
He  was  invited  to  the  Governor’s  room,  and  to  his  as- 
tonishment was  notified  that  he  was  to  be  appointed  to 
the  vacant  seat  in  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas.  He 
jiromptly  and  peremptorily  declined  the  honor  ; Judge 
lug] is  was  his  friend  ; he  had  pressed  his  nomination 
with  earnestness  and  sincerity,  and  he  could  not  suj)- 
plant  him.  Further,  he  said  he  was  too  young  a man 
to  aspire  to  the  judicial  ermine..  Gov.  Bouck  assured 
the  young  candidate  that  youth  was  a disqualification 
that  he  would  soon  outgrow.  A kind  and  earnest  let- 
ter from  Judge  Inglis  assured  Mr.  Daly  that  the  nomi- 
nation was  beyond  his  reach,  and  Daly’s  declinature 
would  not  serve  him.  Thanking  his  friend  for  his  un- 
selfish labors,  he  begged  him  as  a friend  to  accept  the 
nomination.  This  removed  the  remaining  difficulty, 
and  in  1844  Judge  Daly  took  his  seat  on  the  bench  as 
one  of  the  Justices  of  Common  Pleas.  He  won  dis- 
tinguished honors  as‘a  jurist,  and  many  years  ago  was 
elevated  to  the  rank  of  chief  justice. 

A national  repute  was  won  by  Judge  Daly  in  the 
Astor  Place  riots.  It  was  a general  theory  that  no 
man  could  be  convicted  for  a riot ; that  a popular  tu- 
mult was  a sort  of  outgrowth  of  our  free  instititutions  ; 
outbreaks  were  not  desirable,  but  were  unavoidable ; 
were  to  be  dealt  with  leniently  and  in  no  wise  to  be 
severely  punished.  It  was  an  accidental  thing  that 
Judge  Daly  was  assigned  to  try  the  Astor  Place  rioters. 
The  duty  belonged  to  Hecorder  Talmage,  but  he  was 
sick,  and  the  unpopular  trial  was  assigned  to  Judge 
Daly  as  the  youngest  judge  on  the  bench.  According 
to  the  custom  of  the  day,  two  aldermen  were  elected 
to  sit  with  the  judge.  One  was  a Democrat  and  one 
a Whig.  They  had  equal  authority  and  could  overrule 
the  judge.  The  Democrat  openly  sympathized  with 
the  rioters,  and  determined  to  clear  them.  Should  the 
9 


130 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Whig  alderman  side  with  the  Democratic,  every 
prisoner  in  the  dock  would  go  clear.  The  judge  was 
a Democrat,  and  the  friends  of  the  accused  were  cer- 
tain of  speedy  acquittal  at  the  outset.  Judge  Daly’s 
position  excited  astonishment.  He  grappled  with  riot- 
ing as  a great  crime  against  law  and  order  ; a rioter 
was  a despot,  and  despotism  must  be  put  down  at  all 
hazards  ; men  who  stir  up  a popular  tumult  to  advance 
their  own  selfish  ends,  must  take  the  consequences,  as 
do  other  criminals. 

As  the  trial  proceeded  Judge  Daly  was  anxious  to 
know  the  bias  of  his  Whig  associate.  He  was  a 
stranger  to  the  judge — a mechanic  by  trade — a man  of 
moderate  ability — saying  nothing,  but  watching  the 
presiding  officer.  A decision  was  called  for  on  a point 
raised,  and  Judge  Daly  appealed  to  the  Whig  aider- 
man.  He  replied  : ‘‘Judge,  I have  been  watching  you 
since  this  trial  began.  You  understand  your  duty,  and 
mean  to  do  right.  Don’t  ask  me  any  questions.  Try 
the  case  fairly  in  the  interests  of  justice,  and  I will 
stand  by  you  to  the  end.”  The  rioters  were  convicted, 
and  the  leader  sent  to  the  penitentiary. 

The  civil  war  broke  upon  the  country.  Judge  Daly 
threw  himself  at  once  boldly  and  earnestly  on  the 
Union  side.  He  was  the  orator  of  Tammany  Hall  in 
1862,  and  made  fervent  and  patriotic  appeals  to  that 
ancient  society  to  uphold  the  Union  and  prosecute  the 
war.  He  believed  that  an  exchange  of  prisoners  was 
demanded  as  an  act  of  humanity.  His  pleadings  cap- 
tivated the  heart  of  President  Lincoln,  and  he  invited 
him  to  address  the  Cabinet  on  that  question.  He  won 
over  an  unwilling  audience,  and  the  Federal  and  Con- 
federate prisoners  were  exchanged. 

The  Trent  affair  threatened  to  involve  our  nation  in 
a foreign  war.  Mason  and  Slidell  had  been  taken  from 
under  the  British  flag  on  the  high  seas.  The  Secretary 


CHIEF-JUSTICE  BALT. 


131 


of  State,  Mr.  Seward,  was  for  holding  them  captives  at 
all  hazards.  Eminent  lawyers  sustained  the  Secretary 
of  State,  and  gave  it  as  their  opinion  that  the  seizure 
could  be  maintained  by  law.  Judge  Daly  visited 
Washington  to  plead  with  the  government  to  release 
the  captives.  He  argued  that  the  seizure  was  not  only 
void  by  the  law  of  nations,  but  was  illegal  judged  by 
our  own  practice.  Doggedly  resolute  as  Mr.  Seward 
was  on  the  matter,  he  had  so  much  confidence  in  the 
sound  wisdom  and  learning  of  the  New  York  judge, 
that  he  demanded  the  authority  on  which  Judge  Daly 
based  his  opinion.  He  spent  one  day  at  the  law  li- 
brary at  the  capital,  made  up  his  brief  and  argued  it 
before  the  Secretary  of  State,  who  became  satisfied  that 
the  captives  would  have  to  be  given  up,  and  persuaded 
the  President  to  order  their  discharge. 

Personally  Judge  Daly  is  popular  with  the  masses. 
He  was  a fervent  orator  in  all  the  great  Union  gather- 
ings. As  President  of  St.  Patrick’s  Society,  he  was  a 
great  favorite  at  the  annual  benevolent  banquets  of 
other  bodies — able,  witty,  winning,  genial.  • Twelve 
years  ago  he  was  elected  President  of  the  American 
Geographical  Society.  He  has  qdaced  himself  in  cor- 
respondence with  the  thirty-four  kindred  societies  of 
the  world.  His  correspondence,  his  printed  addresses, 
and  published  works,  have  made  his  name  familiar  to 
the  scientific  of  the  old  world.  He  has  brought  up 
the  Geographical  Society  from  a feeble  thing  to  a robust 
membership  of  nearly  two  thousand.  He  was  one  of 
the  commission  of  sixteen  to  frame  the  judicial  sys- 
tem of  the  State,  and  to  his  industry  and  ability,  the 
system  is  greatly  indebted  for  its  existence.  As  an 
orator,  he  is  eloquent ; as  a writer,  captivating,  lucid 
and  learned  ; as  a jurist,  discriminating,  impartial  and 
bold. 


132 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


LX. 

BOGARDUS,  THE  PHOTOGRAPHER. 

HE  art  of  photography  is  young  in  years.  It 
is  the  modern  invention,  and  at  once  com- 
mends itself  to  men  of  artistic  tastes  and 
intelligence.  A knowledge  of  photography 
was  easily  acquired,  and  men  left  their  counters  and 
workshops  and  fields  of  employ  to  enter  a new  vocation, 
where  large  rewards  followed  little  effort  and  no  skill. 
The  operator,  by  a little  mechanical  trick  and  a regard 
to  certain  conditions  of  light  and  chemicals,  could  pro- 
duce a picture.  The  dark  age  of  photography  was  at 
its  start.  Men  who  could  not  paint  a common  tavern 
sign  were  able  to  set  up  as  expert  photographers.  The 
man  who  did  more  than  all  others  to  elevate  this  grand 
art  from  its  degradation  and  place  it  on  the  high  ped- 
estal on  which  it  now  rests,  was  Abraham  Bogardus, 
the  gentleman  whose  name  stands  at  the  head  of  this 
paper. 

Mr.  Bogardus  was  born  in  Duchess  county,  in  the 
State  of  Xew  York,  in  1822.  He  was  a farmer’s  son,  and 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  turned  his  steps  toward  the  great 
city  of  New  York,  that  loomed  up  before  his  eye  as  he 
was  turning  the  furrow  or  doing  the  drudgery  allotted 
to  a boy  on  a farm.  He  began  his  career  in  a store  ; 
but  measuring  tape  and  selling  ribbons  was  not  to  his 
taste.  He  had  an  artist’ s eye  and  a poet’ s fancy,  and 
the  right  thing  for  a life-work  did  not  turn  up.  J ust 
then  daguerreotypes  attracted  public  attention.  There 
was  a mystery  and  a magic  about  a sun-picture,  and 
young  Bogardus  was  fascinated  by  the  art.  He  learned 
to  take  pictures,  and  found  an  employment  that  was 


BOGARDUS,  THE  PHOTOGRAPHER. 


133 


suited  to  liis  genius.  He  gpened  a gallery  at  the  corner 
of  Barclay  and  Greenwich  streets,  which  afterwards  be- 
came so  famous  in  the  metropolis.  His  gallery  was  an 
humble  one,  and  his  whole  outfit  did  not  cost  fifty  dol- 
lars. The  gains  were  slow,  but  Bogardus’  Dutch  pluck 
stood  him  in  good  stead.  He  had  faith  in  the  future, 
and  toiled  on. 

Daguerreotype  gave  way  to  photography.  Earnest, 
energetic,  ingenious  men,  were  exploring  the  mysteries 
of  chemistry,  and  daily  bringing  to  light  new  discov- 
eries and  perfecting  the  art  of  photography.  Among 
this  class,  Mr.  Bogardus  stood  in  the  forefront.  Beside 
his  own  inventions,  he  seized  and  eagerly  applied  all 
the  new  discoveries  that  made  his  art  a success.  He 
gave  personal  attention  to  his  sitters,  and  presided 
over  the  camera,  and  saw  that  every  picture  was  per- 
fect. This  close  jiersonal  attention  raised  him  in  the 
popular  estimation,  and  gave  his  pictures  a perfection 
and  value  not  found  elsewhere.  When  the  card  de 
visite  was  introduced,  photography  received  an  impetus 
that  has  never  been  lost.  Mr.  Bogardus  opened  a new 
gallery  on  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Franklin 
street,  and  it  required  all  the  time  of  an  active  man  to 
take  orders  and  answer  the  calls  of  the  great  rush. 
Three  skylights  were  used,  and  forty  hands  employed 
to  meet  the  popular  demand.  Sometimes  a hundred 
dozen  were  ordered  in  a day.  Before  the  removal,  one 
assistant  was  sufiicient ; afterward,  the  pay-roll  ran  up 
to  five  hundred  dollars  a week. 

The  next  improvement  that  Mr.  Bogardus  introduced 
was  the  production  of  life-size  pictures  and  family 
groups.  The  accuracy,  the  elegance  of  the  x^ictures, 
and  the  rapidity  of  their  production,  made  them  every 
way  superior  to  a first-class  oil-painting.  In  this  style 
of  work  Mr.  Bogardus  stands  confessedly  at  the  head 
of  his  profession.  It  has  been  a close  study  with  this 


134 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


artist  to  select  the  fitting  po^ure  for  his  pictures.  He 
has  great  artistic  taste.  Knows  how  to  group  families 
together,  give  pose  to  the  head,  bring  out  the  telling 
expression,  and  furnish  an  artistic  as  well  as  a faithful 
likeness. 

In  Bogardus’  gallery  business  is  conducted  on  a 
regular  system.  Everything  is  first-class  about  the 
establishment, — the  camera,  chemicals,  skylight  and 
employees.  Pictures  can  be  taken  indoors  or  outdoors. 
The  sitters  can  be  takeain  any  attitude  and  any  place, 
in  an  arbor  or  on  the  rocks,  in  a forest  or  on  the  ocean, 
under  a parasol  or  amid  a drenching  rain.  Each 
patron  is  numbered,  and  a negative  will  keep  a hun- 
dred years.  Should  a sitter  who  is  traveling  in  Europe 
desire  ]3ictures,  he  cam  send  his  name  across  the 
Atlantic,  and  the  order  will  be  immediately  executed. 
Many  families,  whose  members  have  suddenly  died, 
liave  the  satisfaction  of  securing  a correct  likeness  of 
their  friend  from  the  negative  preserved.  Some  of  the 
finest  life-size  likenesses  in  existence  are  from  Bogar- 
dus’ gallery.  Among  these  may  be  named  the  elegant 
picture  of  Professor  Morse,  the  classic  head  of  Bryant, 
and  the  accurate  likenesses,  of  the  ministers  of  the 
Collegiate  Church,  whick  hang  in  the  Fulton  Street 
Church. 

Among  the  most  important  services  which  Bogardus 
has  rendered  to  the- art  of  photography,  was  the  for- 
mation of  the  National  Photographic  Association.  He 
presided  at  its  birth,  and  at  five  annual  gatherings  was 
elected  President  by  acclamation.  The  eminent  men  in 
the  profession  came  together  and  founded  what  has 
jn'oved  to  be  a Photographic  Academy  of  Design.  In  the 
annual  address  of  1871,  President  Bogardus  graphically 
grouped  together  the  benefits  conferred  by  the  asso- 
ciation. It  lifted  photography  out  of  a rut,  enabled 
artists  to  compare  their  work,  created  a desire  to  excel. 


BOGABDUS,  THE  PHOTOGBAPHEB. 


135 


crushed  burdensome  and  unjust  monopolies,  brought 
Europe  and  America  together,  made  posturing  a pro- 
fession, and  delivered  artists  from  the  extortions  and 
unreasonable  demands  from  their  jiatrons.  Selfish  and 
unjust  men  secured  patents  on  chemicals,  which  ought 
to  be  as  common  as  the  sunlight.  With  these  patents 
they  annoyed  the  profession,  and  interfered  with  the 
success  of  the  art.  The  most  obnoxious  of  these  was 
the  bromide  patent.  The  national  association,  led 
by  Mr.  Bogardus,  resolved  to  break  up  this  monopol}^. 
To  accomplish  this,  funds  were  needed,  and  the  influ- 
ence of  able  counsel  was  demanded.  Mr.  Bogardus 
advanced  his  check  for  five  hundred  dollars,  and  went 
to  Washington  with  a vigorous  committee,  and  the  ob- 
noxious monopoly  was  abolished. 

Mr.  Bogardus  is  among  the  oldest  photographic 
artists  of  New  York.  There  are  a few  of  those  who 
started  with  him,  thirty  years  ago,  that  remain  in  the 
profession.  He  has  lived  to  see  the  art  he  loved  so 
well,  elevated  to  the  position  of  a science.  The  crude, 
coarse  counterfeits  of  the  human  face  that  marked  the 
early  days  of  the  art,  have  passed  away  ; a better 
class  of  work  and  a better  class  of  workmen  are  de- 
manded ; fewer  pictures  are  made,  and  better  ones.  In 
this,  as  in  other  departments,  talented  men,  artistic 
men,  men  who  live  to  excel,  are  the  useful  men. 
All  over  the  land  and  across  the  sea,  wherever  art  is 
honored,  Bogardus’  name  is  known,  and  the  eminent 
services  he  has  rendered  to  photography  are  acknowl- 
edged. 

Mr.  Bogardus  has  a remarkable  presence.  He  is  of 
commanding  stature,  finely  imoportioned,  with  a bright 
eye  and  an  expression  of  countenance  that  wins  the 
confidence  of  all  who  approach  him.  He  appears  as 
he  is,  the  master  of  his  position,  and,  with  a desire  to 
please,  blends  great  dignity  of  manner.  He  has  few 


136 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


equals  as  a presiding  officer.  His  wit  and  humor  are 
magnetic.  He  has  great  ability  as  a presiding  officer, 
keeps  convention  close  to  its  work,  can  smooth  down 
the  asperities  of  debate,  keep  the  elements  in  harmony, 
and  causes  good  fellowship  to  abound.  Withal  he  is 
dignified  and  cheery,  and ‘is  personally  one  of  the  most 
popular  men  in  the  State.  His  success,  covering  the 
lifetime  of  a generation,  lies  on  the  surface.  He 
selected  a profession  suited  to  his  taste,  which  he  has 
followed  without  faltering  through  good  and  evil  re- 
port. He  early  resolved  to  be  first-class  in  his  profes- 
sion, and  was  never  satisfied  unless  he  was  improving. 
He  studied  everything  about  his  art  that  could  make 
him  intelligent,  and  his  industry  never  flagged.  He 
gave  personal  attention  to  his  business,  and  never 
trusted  his  work  to  strangers.  His  work  needs  no 
guarantee,  and  his  integrity  has  never  been  questioned. 
Daily  in  his  gallery,  corner  of  Broadway  and  Eigh- 
teenth street,  he  attends  personally  to  his  sitters,  and 
welcoming  all  who  desire  his  attention. 


LXI. 

THE  HOUSE  OF  LAWRENCE. 

HIS  famous  mercantile  house  in  Boston  was 
founded  by  Amos.  He  was  reared  on  a farm 
in  Groton.  He  sought  business  in  Boston. 
From  an  errand-boy  in  a store,  he  began 
trading  in  a small  way.  He  was  not  as  poor  at  the 
start  as  common  rumor  has  x^resented.  He  had  a capi- 


THE  HOUSE  OF  LAWRENCE. 


137 


tal  of  one  thousand  dollars.  This  was  secured  from  his 
father,  who  mortgaged  the  old  homestead  to  obtain  the 
money.  This  wms  only  a loan,  but  if  it  had  not  been 
paid  the  old  homestead  would  have  been  ruined.  After 
Amos  had  commenced  business,  Abbott  joined  his 
brother  in  Boston  in  1808,  and  as  the  custom  was, 
bound  himself  to  his  brother  as  an  apprentice.  Amos 
had  previously  served  as  apprentice  seven  years  in  a 
store,  and  he  had  twenty  dollars  in  his  pocket  when  he 
opened  business  in  1807. 

In  those  early  Puritan  times,  commercial  clerks  and 
shop-boys  were  in  peculiar  peril.  Everybody  drank, — 
principals,  subordinates  and  errand-boys, — and  the  dram 
known  as  the  ‘‘eleven  o’clock ” and  the  “four  o’clock  ” 
w^ere  drunk  with  the  same  regularity  that  the  dinner 
was  eaten.  Traders  who  bought  a bill  of  goods  were 
treated.  The  language  of  the  bargain  was — so  much 
and  the  drinks.  Ail  hands  smoked,  took  snuff,  and 
played  cards  during  business  hours.  Young  Amos 
found  the  appetite  for  strong  drink  growing  upon  him. 
He  had  moral  sense  enough  to  see  the  drift  of  things, 
and  put  a stop  on  it.  He  took  a vow  to  let  the  cup 
pass  by  him  at  eleven  o’clock  and  four  o’clock  for  one 
week.  He  extended  the  vow  for  one  month,  and  then 
made  it  final.  He  bought  gallons  of  liquors  for  mer- 
chants, but  drank  none  himself  to  the  day  of  his  death. 
He  had  a large  share  of  IN'ew  England  thrift,  a sturdy, 
independence  and  a disiDOsition  to  copy  nobody.  He 
kept  an  accurate  account  of  his  expenses,  his  profits, 
and  his  losses,  from  the  start.  Long  credits  and  un- 
limited credits  were  the  fashion  of  the  day.  He  stur- 
dily refused  at  any  time  to  owe  more  than  forty  per 
cent,  on  his  stock. 

Amos  Lawrence  attributed  his  solid  fortune  to 
the  disappointments  of  his  first  year.  He  made  up  his 
mind  that  his  profits  in  the  twelve  months  would  be 


138 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


four  thousand  dollars.  He  was  deeply  mortified  to 
find  his  balance  only  one  thousand.  This  threw  him 
back  on  himself.  He  increased  his  hours  of  work,  cut 
down  his  store  expenses,  cut  off  all  superfluities  per- 
sonal to  himself,  refused  to  go  into  company,  and  gave 
himself  Up  thoroughly  and  resolutely  to  business.  His 
habits  of  diligence,  economy,  and  thrift,  that  he 
brought  to  this  dark  period  of  his  career,  attended  him 
through  life.  He  closed  the  second  year  of  his  busi- 
ness career  with  the  coveted  earning  of  four  thousand 
dollars.  His  own  words  are:  “Had  I made  four 
thousand  dollars  the  first  year  I should  probably  have 
failed  in  the  third.” 

The  year  1814  was  an  especially  black  one  for  trade. 
Prices  of  goods  were  ruinously  low,  the  shrinkages 
fearful,  and  the  more  goods  a merchant  had  on  his 
shelves  the  more  certain  he  was  to  be  ruined.  Abbott 
was  discouraged,  and  proposed  to  leave  the  concern. 
This  was  the  turning-point  in  the  lives  of  these  two 
eminent  men.  The  dissolution  w^as  not  effected,  and 
Abbott  was  sent  to  England  to  l6ok  after  the  business 
of  the  House.  The  letters  written  by  Amos  to  his 
brother  while  in  London,  would  make  valuable  read- 
ing for  business  young  men. 

The  corner-stone  of  this  house  was  punctuality  and 
exactness  always,  and  sterling  honor  and  integrity  in 
all  things.  Amos  was  a large  giver,  and  he  regulated 
his  donations  on  a perfect  system.  He  set  apart  a 
percentage  of  his  earnings  for  beneficent  and  religious 
purposes.  At  his  death  he  left  a mercantile  name 
honored  in  all  parts  of  the  world.  Those  to  whom  the 
name  and  fortune  of  the  Lawrences  were  transmitted 
reversed  the  honorable  rules  on  wdiich  the  house  was 
founded.  A short  period  carried  this  great  house 
under  a cloud  from  which  it  will  never  emerge. 


PADDLE  YOUR  OWN  CANOE. 


139 


LXII. 

PADDLE  YOUP  OWN  CANOE. 

HIS  is  a PROVERB,  popular  among  tlie  working 
j)eople  of  Europe,  indicative  of  independ- 
ence, and  the  necessity  for  men  to  help  them- 
selves. It  is  seldom  that  a man  gets  any 
good  from  his  relatives  in  a matter  of  business.  The 
old  saw,  uttered  three  thousand  years  ago  : — ‘‘  Go  not 
to  thy  brother’s  house  in  the  day  of  calamity,”  is  good 
for  to-day.  Relationships  and  friendships  hinder  more 
than  they  help.  Critics  are  the  poorest  judges,  and 
literary  men  are  the  most  unjust  toward  literary  men 
of  any  class.  The  songs  and  ballads  that  have  come 
down  to  us  from  former  generations,  and  that  are 
popular  now,  were  universally  condemned  by  the  self- 
styled  learned  of  their  day.  We  should  have  had 
nothing  worthy  of  being  read  if  the  critics  could  have 
had  their  day.  Authors  were  stubborn,  and  refused  to 
burn  their  manuscripts.  Their  sturdy  self-independ- 
ence sustained  them  and  they  were  able  to  “ Paddle 
their  own  canoe.”  This  the  history  of  literature 
proves. 

A Bishop  of  the  Church  of  England  denounced 
Paradise  Lost  as  a “Blasphemous  book  written  by 
one  Milton,  who  has  been  struck  blind  ;”  inferential! y, 
struck  blind  for  his  blasphemy.  Nobody  but  Johnson 
saw  anything  in  the  Vicar  of  Wakefield  ; no  publisher 
would  touch  it ; the  critics  derided  it ; and  it  came  near 
going  under  the  grate.  A publisher  took  it  because 
J ohnson  said,  ‘ ‘ Poor  Goldy  must  not  starve.  ’ ’ He  ke^Dt 
it  two  years  before  he  had  courage  to  print  it,  and  it 


140 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


was  predicted  that  it  would  fall  still-born  from  the 
press.  De  Foe  gathered  his  literary  friends  into 
his  garden  at  Stoke-Newington,  to  hear  him  read 
the  sheets  of  Kobinson  Crusoe.  They  laughed  him  to 
scorn,  and  advised  him  to  throw  the  foolish  thing  into 
the  lire, — a story  which  has  outstripped  everything  in 
popularity,  except  the  Bible  and  Pilgrim’s  Progress. 
Mason,  a mean-spirited  poet,  nearly  persuaded  Gray  to 
destroy  his  Elegy.  The  claims  of  Sir  John  Franklin, 
as  an  Arctic  explorer,  only  excited  ridicule.  In  stature 
he  was  under-sized,  his  sight  was  imperfect,  and  his 
abilities  accounted  small.  An  explorer  he  purposed 
to  be.  In  his  marriage  contract  a clause  was  inserted, 
that  his  wife  should  not  interfere  with  his  visits  to  the 
North  Pole.  Cowper  was  written  down  a failure  when 
his  first  effusions  were  j)rinted.  But  for  Johnson’s  in- 
terference, his  early  publications  would  have  involved 
him  in  commercial  ruin. 

Bunyan’s  best  friends  advised  him  to  destroy  Pil- 
grim’s Progress.  Such  a travesty  on  religion  would 
ruin  his  reputation  for  piety.  The  dreamer  refers  to 
this  advice : 

“Some  said,  ‘John,  print  it;’  others  said  ‘No.’ 

Some  said  it  might  do  good;  others  said  ‘ Not  so.’  ” 

Fulton,  on  the  eve  of  his  great  discovery,  was  ac- 
counted a lunatic,  and  was  starving  in  Paris.  He 
failed  in  the  exhibition  of  a panorama,  and  was  thrown 
into  prison.  Chancellor  Livingston  came  to  him  in  his 
distress — paid  his  debts — purchased  a steam  boiler, 
and  sent  it  home  under  the  charge  of  Fulton,  who 
passed  all  his  hours  on  shipboard  in  mastering  the 
intricacies  of  that  wonderful  machine. 

Mr.  Shiel  was  black-balled  by  the  London  Aca- 
demical Society.  He  resisted  the  injustice  and  stood 


PADDLE  YOUR  OWN  CANOE, 


141 


his  ground.  He  lived  to  read  himself  as  the  Hon. 
Richard  Lawlor  Shiel,  Grand  Orator  of  the  Academi- 
cal Society.  Goldsmith’s  friends,  as  they  could  do 
nothing  else,  attempted  to  introduce  him  to  orders.  He 
ajipeared  before  the  bishop  in  red  plush  breeches,  and 
to  the  question:  “Can  you  accept  the  Thirty-nine 
Articles?”  replied,  “Oh,  yes  ; forty,  if  your  lordsliii) 
pleases.”  Johnson  refused  wine.  “ I can  drink  to  ex- 
cess ; I can  abstain  ; but  I can’t  drink  a little.”  There 
was  a dark  room  in  St.  James’s  Palace  known  as 
“ hell,”  where  gambling  was  carried  on.  Pitt  was  in- 
fatuated with  the  passion  for  play.  He  saw  he  must 
abandon  gambling  or  yield  a desire  to  rise  in  the  State. 
He  flung  his  cards  in  the  fire  and  vowed  he  would  never 
enter  that  hell  again.  That  resolution  saved  him.  Like 
the  young  men  of  his  day,  Wilberforce  was  fond  of 
play.  He  kept  the  faro  bank  one  night,  and  saw  a 
poor  wretch  blow  his  brains  out.  He  took  an  oath 
never  again  to  gamble,  and  started  upon  his  high  ca- 
reer. 

Dr  Waylais’d  used  to  tell  of  a student  who  keiDt 
school  in  vacation,  and  kept  a very  poor  one.  His  ex- 
cuse was,  that  he  intended  not  to  be  a schoolmaster 
but  a lawyer.  The  iDoor  schoolmaster  made  a very 
poor  lawyer.  Webster  made  the  best  chowder  in  the 
State,  on  the  principle  that  he  would  not  be  second- 
class  in  anything.  The  Duke  of  Marlborough  was  pro- 
nounced a failure  as  a soldier  and  ordered  into  retire-" 
ment.  He  insisted  that  he  was  right.  The  nation  re- 
versed the  opinion  of  his  superiors.  He  became  the 
great  captain  of  the  age,  upheld  the  British  banner  in 
the  darkest  hour  of  battle,  and  the  Marlborough  house, 
from  corner-stone  to  turret,  is  ornamented  with  pictures 
illustrating  his  victories. 


142 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Frattklin"  worked  while  other  boys  spent  their 
time  in  idle  sports.  The  money  they  spent  in  beer  he 
spent  in  books.  He  pledged  himself  against  strong 
drinks,  and  lived  frugally.  While  working  at  the 
press  he  found  ample  time  for  severe  study.  The 
Spectator  gave  him  style  ; He  Foe  on  Projects  made 
him  an  inventor ; Mather  on  Doing  Good  made  him 
a philanthropist ; Locke  and  Zenophon  made  him  a 
philosopher  ; and  the  Bible  made  him  a Christian. 

After  Burke  had  delivered  his  matchless  oration  on 
Warren  Hastings,  and  England  was  filled  with  his 
praise,  his  brother  Richard  said  : ‘‘  I wonder  how  Ned 
contrived  to  monopolize  the  talent  of  the  family.  Then 
I remember  when  we  boys  were  carousing,  Ned  was 
always  at  study.” 

Abraham  Likcolh  was  postmaster  of  the  little 
village  of  New  Salem.  He  was  hard  pressed  for  money 
just  as  the  collector  came  round  to  receive  the  balance 
for  the  Government.  A friend,  who  knew  the  young 
postmaster,  offered  him  a loan.  He  took  down  an  old 
stocking,  and  poured  out  seventeen  dollars  and  sixty 
cents  in  copper  coin,  the  exact  sum  due  the  Govern- 
ment, and  the  exact  amount  received  for  postage. 
Witli  a twinkle  in  his  eye  he  turned  to  his  friend  and 
said : What  do  I want  of  money  ? I never  use  Govern- 
ment money  for  joersonal  purposes.”  That  was  the 
key-note  of  his  life. 

Arioc  Wentworth  was  the  largest  marble-worker 
of  Boston.  He  began  in  a small  way  and  worked  him- 
self ui^  to  a millionaire.  When  a young  man  he  bought 
a horse,  and  paid  the  then  great  price  of  seven  hundred 
dollars.  That  horse  will  fail  you,”  men  said.  “No 
mechanic  can  drive  a seven-hundred-dollar  horse,  and 


PADDLE  TOUR  OWE'  CAiNOE. 


143 


prosper.”  The  animal  developed  into  a marvelous 
trotter.  He  proved  a perfect  road  horse,  gentle,  relia- 
ble and  easy  to  handle.  Wentworth  was  offered  a 
large  sum  for  him,  and  everybody  said  : Sell  him, 
sell  him;  you  will  never  have  another  such  offer.” 
“No  man  in  Boston  has  money  enough  to  buy  the 
Vermont  Boy,”  the  sturdy  marble-man  said.  “He  is 
worth  three  thousand  dollars  to  me  in  my  business.  I 
draw  the  reins  over  an  intelligent  and  reliable  horse. 
No  man  can  pass  me  on  the  road,  and  every  business 
man  of  Boston  knows  me  and  my  team.” 

Haerison  was  a machinist  in  Philadelphia.  He 
worked  at  the  bench,  and  was  noted  for  his  civility.  A 
party  of  gentlemen  visited  the  establishment  one  day, 
and  in  the  absence  of  the  chief,  HaiHson  did  the  hon- 
ors. He  threw  everything  open,  and  answered  intel- 
ligibly all  questions  asked.  The  chief  expressed  his 
surprise  at  the  courtesy  shown  the  strangers,  saying 
they  found  it  very  difficult  to  get  access  to  other  manu- 
factories. A card  was  handed  to  the  young  mechanic, 
with  the  request  that  he  call  on  the  gentleman  in  the 
evening.  The  visitors  were  a commission  sent  out  by 
the  Emperor  of  Hussia  to  acquaint  themselves  with  the 
machinery  of  America.  An  offer  was  made  to  the 
young  man  to  return  with  the  embassy  to  Hussia.  He 
made  a contract  that  night  that  won  him  both  fame 
and  fortune.  He  carried  his  courtesy  and  capacity  to 
a good  market. 

Wellin-gton-  on  the  battle-field,  looked  first  after 
his  horse, — his  life  might  depend  upon  him.  Next  he 
looked  after  his  men, — he  might  need  them  before 
morning.  Then  he  took  care  of  himself.  His  little 
iron  camp-bed  to  the  last  occupied  a little  closet  off 
from  his  library  where  he  slept.  A lady  visitor  ex- 


144 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


pressed  her  surprise  one  day,  at  the  narrowness  of  the 
little  trundle-bed,  saying  : ‘‘  There  is  not  room  enough 
in  that  bed  to  turn.”  The  Iron  Duke  replied,  ‘ ‘ Madam, 
when  a man  turns  in  bed  it’s  time  to  turn  out.”  The 
war  office  complained  when  he  was  in  the  field,  that 
his  dispatches  said  nothing  about  his  plans,  but  were 
filled  with  complaints  about  rice  and  bullocks.  An 
answer  came  back  : ‘‘  My  dispatches  are  short  because 
r ve  nothing  to  say.  With  rice  and  bullocks  I get  men  ; 
with  men  I beat  the  enemy.”  When  he  was  at  the  head 
of  the  Government,  a friend  asked  the  Iron  Duke  : — 
‘‘Did  you  utter  the  gasconade  at  Waterloo : ‘ Up  guards, 
and  at  them?’”  “No.  It  was  a dark  and  anxious 
hour.  I had  done  all  that  was  possible  to  secure  a vic- 
tory. I felt  that  the  issue  must  be  left  to  the  Great 
Disposer  of  Events  ; I swept  the  field  with  my  glass 
and  saw  the  hour  had  come.  I said,  ‘ Let  the  column 
advance.’  ” 

Brentat^o  had  an  extraordinary  career.  He  is  the 
most  singular  specimen  of  a business  man  in  New 
York.  Statuaries  might  copy  his  head ; attached  to 
this  is  a body  shockingly  deformed.  He  is  under-sized, 
with  hands  cramped  and  disfigured  by  disease.  He 
was  born  in  the  Tyrol,  and  landed  on  our  soil  poor  and 
friendless.  He  bought  a few  papers  and  sold  them, 
lodged  where  he  could,  and  took  his  food  where  he 
could  find  it  the  cheapest.  Ill-fed,  hard-worked,  with 
bare  feet  x)inched  with  the  cold,  he  sat  on  a curb-stone 
in  front  of  the  New  York  Hotel  offering  his  wares. 
Cranston  had  pity  on  the  deformed  suffering  lad,  and 
on  cold  and  stormy  nights  allowed  him  to  warm  him- 
self in  the  halls  of  the  hotel.  He  scraped  together 
three  hundred  dollars,  and  set  up  business  ; his  part- 
ner stole  the  capital,  and  ran  away.  Brentano  fell 
back  on  selling  papers.  A friend  advised  him  to  take 


EDWARD  EVERETT. 


145 


a better  class  of  periodicals,  and  strike  for  Wall  Street. 
He  purchased  the  best  European  and  American  picto- 
rials, and  secured  customers.  He  made  a iioint  of 
being  the  first  in  the  field,  and  when  he  opened  a paper- 
store,  he  served  his  patrons  before  he  sold  a paper 
across  the  counter.  He  soon  obtained  a profitable  run 
of  business.  The  poor,  deformed  boy,  who  warmed 
himself,  as  a charity,  at  the  hotel  registers,  is  now  a 
millionaire,  and  for  many  years  occupied  a splendid 
suite  of  apartments  in  the  same  public  house  before 
whose  doors  he  cried  his  wares. 


LXIII. 

EHWAKD  EVERETT. 

R.  EVERETT’S  history  is  an  uninteresting 
one.  There  are  few  elements  in  it  that  can 
be  of  any  service  to  young  men.  He  was  a 
brilliant  rhetorician,  and  had  he  been  so  dis- 
posed, future  generations  would  have  been  benefited 
by  his  writings.  His  Ledger  papers  were  the  tamest  of 
periodical  literature.  Instead  of  being  worthy,  as  they 
•should  liave  been,'  of  a republication  in  all  the  school- 
books of  the  land,  they  passed  at  once  out  of  the  mem- 
ory of  the  generation.  He  was  fitted  for  the  ministry, 
and  a boy  of  nineteen  he  was  settled  over  the  most  im- 
portant congregation  in  Boston.  During  his  brief  min- 
isterial career  he  shone  as  a star.  He  had  a voice  of 
marvelous  compass  and  sweetness.  He  cultivated  the 
graces  of  oratory,  and  committing  his  sermons  to  mem- 
10 


146 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS.  ' 


oiy,  lie  poured  forth  liis  impassioned  utterances  to  the 
delight  of  crowded  audiences.  In  the  height  of  his 
popularity  he  turned  his  steps  toward  Harvard  College, 
and  informed  the  Faculty  that  he  could  no  longer  oc- 
cupy the  pulpit,  but  must  have  the  position  of  tutor, 
and  trust  the  future  for  something  better.  He  married 
a' rich  man’s  daughter,  and  all  incentive  to  work  was 
removed  from  him.  His  wealth  and  social  position  led 
to  that  easy,  desultory  point-no-point  sort  of  life  which 
marked  him.  He  enjoyed  the  luxury  of  learned  lei- 
sure, an  indulgence  that  so  often  paralyzes  a man’s  en- 
ergies. He  ehtered  political  life  on  a side  issue,  during 
the  Masonic  excitement.  He  was  fond  of  place  and 
honor  ; a timid  man  ; following,  but  never  a leader.  He 
filled  nearly  every  office  in  the  gift  of  the  State,  but  was 
never  popular,  and  when  taken,  was  taken  as  a neces- 
sity. He  opposed  the  nomination  of  General  Scott, 
but  would  not  join  Mr.  Webster’s  friends  ; yet  he  was 
willing  to  lend  his  name  to  the  Bell  and  Everett  clique 
against  his  party.  He  was  appointed  an  elector  with- 
out its  being  known  whether  he  was  even  favorable  to 
the  election  of  Mr.  Lincoln. 


LXIV. 

WILSON’S  STRUGGLES. 

R.  WILSON’S  early  career  is  worthy  the 
study  of  American  j^oung  men.  He  was 
more  of  hero  while  he  was  struggling  for  a 
position,  than  after  he  obtained  it.  He  was 
never  a statesman,  and  outside  of  slavery  and  temper- 


WILSON^S  STRUGGLES. 


147 


ance,  lie  was  unable  to  discuss  any  of  tbe  great  ques- 
tions of  the  hour.  The  theories  on  which  he  arose  he 
accepted  when  they  were  unxjopular,  and  adhered  to 
them  unwaveringly  through  all  his  life.  He  was  the 
leader  of  the  Free-soil  party,  which  coalesced  with  the 
Democrats,  and  overthrew  the  Whig  reign.  The  coali- 
tion was  successful  and  carried  Mr.  Wilson  into  the 
chair  of  the  Massachusetts  Senate,  and  from  thence 
into  the  position  of  jiresiding  othcer  in  the  United 
States  Senate.  He  was  born  in  1812,  and  at  ten  was 
bound  out  to  a farmer.  One  holiday  and  three  cents 
in  money  were  all  he  received  until  he  was  twenty-one 
years  of  age.  With  his  freedom  he  started  out  to  earn 
his  living.  A farmer  gave  him  work  at  six  dollars  a 
month.  His  own  story  is  thus  graphically  told  : 

“ I used  to  get  up  long  before  daylight,  feed  the 
stock,  get  breakfast,  and  just  as  the  East  was  beginning 
to  be  streaked  with  red,  start  off  for  the  woods  with  my 
team.  I used  to  place  my  dinner-pail  on  the  sunny 
side  of  a tree,  and  continue ‘drawing  saw-logs  to  the 
mill  until  after  dark.  Then  I went  home,  fed  the 
stock,  ate  my  supper,  and  went  to  bed.  My  father 
tended  the  saw-mill  most  of  the  time  for  many  years 
for  fifty  cents  a day.  In  the  spring  of  the  sam3  year  I 
took  my  pack  on  my  back,  and  started  afoot  for  the 
town  where  I now  live, — Natick,  Mass., — one  hundred 
miles  away,  and  that  journey  cost  me  just  one  dollar 
and  twenty-five  cents.  I worked  there  at  shoemaking, 
averaging  fifteen  hours  a day,  and  the  last  week’s  work 
I did  at  the  bench,  was  bottoming  shoes  at  five  dollars 
a week.  Out  of  this  I paid  fifty  cents  for  pegs,  and 
two  dollars  for  board,  so  that  I had  left  just  two  dol- 
lars and  fifty  cents.  I have  bottomed  fifty- four  pairs  of 
men’s  shoes  without  sleeping,  and  that  for  a little  more 
than  fifty  cents.  But  even  at  this  rate  I got  some 
money  ahead,  and  made  up  my  mind  to  work  my  way 


148 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


through,  college.  I lent  my  money  to  a man  in  Boston, 
and  went  to  the  academy  at  Concord,  IS".  H.  I had 
been  there  only  six  months,  when  the  man  to  whom  I 
intrusted  my  fortune  failed,  and  I lost  all.  I was  so 
reduced  that,  although  I owed  for  two  or  three  weeks’ 
board,  I was  absolutely  unable  to  pay  it,  or  even  to 
take  a letter  from  the  post-office  without  borrowing 
money  to  pay  the  postage.  But  a friend  invited  me  to 
remain  and  board  with  him,  and  pay  him  when  I was 
able.  So  I stayed  through  the  term,  and  in  the  win- 
ter earned  money  enough  to  pay  him,  by  teaching 
school.” 

Men,  like  some  vessels,  weather  the  gale,  and  roll 
their  masts  overboard  in  a calm.  Mr.  Wilson  showed 
but  little  wisdom  in  his  high  position,  and  no  statesman- 
ship. He  early  conceived  the  idea  that  the  succession 
was  in  his  hands,  and  must  be  taken  care  of.  He  had 
the  presidency  on  the  brain.  His  friends  encouraged 
the  idea,  and  at  some  of  their  cosy  club  dinners  in 
Boston, . actually  nominated  him  as  president.  He 
regarded  Gen.  Grant  as  a rival,  and  turned  white  at 
the  specter  of  the  third  term.  He  got  terribly  excited 
if  any  one  suggested  that  he  was  not  well,  and  when 
he  should  have  been  shut  up  in  a sick-room  under  the 
care  of  a doctor,  he  was  tearing  over  the  country,  from 
Maine  to  Florida,  dashing  from  the  Hudson  to  Missis- 
sippi to  convince  people  that  he  was  well.  He  had  no 
influence  with  the  Government,  from  his  indiscriminate 
use  of  his  name  and  letters.  Butler  loved  to  tease  him. 
Wilson  complained  one  day  that  his  letters  were  not 
attended  to,  and  he  couldn’t  get  any  appointments  for 
his  friends.  Butler  replied  that  he  had  obtained  from 
the  administration  everything  he  had  asked  for.  Wil- 
son went  to  the  president,  and  complained  of  the 
unfair  treatment.  Gen.  Grant  showed  Mr.  Wilson 
that  he  had  had  over  thirty  appointments — that  if  he 


JOHN  qUINGT  ADAMS. 


149 


sliould  appoint  every  one  to  an  ofRce  that  brought  let- 
ters from  Mr.  Wilson,  there  would  be  none  for  anyone 
else.  Butler  had  got  all  he  asked.  He  had  asked  a 
small  appointment  in  the  navy  yard,  to  which  he  was 
clearly  entitled,  and  got  it.  I was  sitting  one  day  in 
the  private  secretary’s  office  at  the  White  House  wait- 
ing for  a Cabinet  meeting  to  break  up.  A lady,  expen- 
sive! y dressed,  came  in,  said  she  had  a letter  from  Mr. 
Wilson,  and  wanted  to  see  the  president  on  important 
business.  She  said  she  had  a carriage  at  the  door, 
hired  by  the  hour,  and  she  might  as  well  ride,  while 
waiting  for  the  president  to  be  disengaged,  as  to  have 
the  carriage  stand  still.  In  an  hour  the  lady  came 
back,  had  an  interview,  and  the  important  business, 
that  justified  an  introduction  to  the  jjresident  from  the 
vice-president  of  the  United  States,  was  a proposal  to 
borrow  one  hundred  dollars. 


LXY. 

JOHN  QUINCY  ADAMS. 


NDUSTRY  was  the  corner-stone  of  John 
Quincy  Adams’  success.  He  earned  his  liv- 
ing when  a lad  by  riding  post  between 
Braintree  and  Boston.  He  was  appointed 
private  secretary  to  his  father,  when  he  was  twelve 
years  of  age,  and  accompanied  him  to  France.  Through 
all  his  public  career,  he  was  one  of  the  most  economical 
and  thrifty  of  men.  While  Secretary  of  State,  he  built 
a dwelling  in  Washington,  divided  it  into  two  tene- 


150 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


ments,  and  reserved  a riglit  to  occupy  both  parlors  at 
a levee.  During  all  his  public  life  he  was  an  early 
riser,  building  his  own  fire  at  four  o’clock  in  the  morn- 
ing. He  walked  to  the  capitol  daily,  and  was  in  his 
seat  for  prayers.  He  attended  church  regularly, 
through  storm  and  sunshine.  I saw  him  one  Sunday 
wade  knee-deep  through  the  snow,  to  show  his  good 
will  to  the  preacher.  His  library  was  his  work-shop. 
A plain  square  room,  with  shelves  lining  every  side 
loaded  down  with  books.  His  table  was  of  pine,  cov- 
ered with  green  baize,  and  filled  with  manuscripts, 
letters,  papers,  and  general  litter.  His  ink-stand  was  of 
Revolutionary  pattern,  ancient  and  heavy.  He  wrote 
an  angular,  cramped,  heavy  hand,  with  a quill  pen.  I 
heard  him  say  : ‘ ‘ I am  not  orthodox  according  to  the 
standard  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  but  I am  not  as 
far  from  it  as  many  suppose.  As  I advance  in  years,  I 
feel  more  and  more  distrust  of  all  self -formed  oioinions 
on  religion.  I throw  myself  back  on  the  simple  word 
of  God.  I receive  what  that  teaches.  I go  where  that 
leads.  I enjoy  the  worship  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
I am  edified  by  its  ministry.” 


LXVI. 

HARVEY  D.  PARKER. 


HE  Parker  House,  Boston,  is  one  of  the  best 
known  hotels  in  New  England.  It  was 
founded  by  the  gentleman  whose  name  it 
bears.  Parker  began  as  a waiter  in  a small 
restaurant  on  Court  street.  He  set  up  business  for 


HARVEY  D.  PARKER. 


151 


himself  in  a basement,  on  the  corner  of  Court  square. 
He  spread  his  own  table,  and  served  his  own  customers. 
He  is  a millionaire  now ; but  I’ve  seen  him  with  his 
coat  off,  sleeves  rolled  up,  white  apron  on,  broiling 
steak,  and  placing  it  rich  and  juicy  on  the  iDlates  of 
his  guests.  After  years  of  honest  hard  work  and  suc- 
cess, he  outgrew  his  quarters,  and  built  his  elegant 
hotel.  He  has  made  his  house  famous  in  all  parts  of 
the  world.  It’ s the  great  exchange  of  Boston,  and  the 
annual  profits  are  estimated  at  a quarter  of  a million. 
Parker  is  a general  favorite.  He  gives  his  customers 
just  what  they  ask  for,  and  his  liberality  has  earned 
him  a golden  harvest.  Any  man  who  becomes  a pop- 
ular favorite  is  sure  of  success.  The  favorite  preacher 
has  ten  thousand  a year  and  a quartette  choir.  A 
popular  lecturer  can  farm  himself  out  for  forty  thou- 
sand a year.  A star  singer  can  get  a guinea  a note. 
Some  xjeople  cater  to  the  x)ublic  taste  ; they  resolve  to 
put  a hat  on  every  man’s  head  ; a coat  on  every  man’s 
back  ; a box  of  xfills  in  every  man’s  stomach  ; shoes 
on  every  man’ s feet ; a box  of  soap  in  every  one’ s 
laundry  ; and  a newsx)aper  at  every  man’ s table.  If 
the  purpose  is  carried  out,  a fortune  will  be  the  result. 

Parker  early  won  over  the  lawyers  and  judges  of 
Boston.  He  furnished  to  his  guests  liquor  when  they 
wanted  it.  The  Maine-law  men  harassed  him  year  out 
and  year  in.  It  was  one  of  the  curious  things  in  the  en- 
forcement of  the  liquor  law  that  juries  were  often  try- 
ing Parker  for  selling-  liquor  contrary  to  law,  and 
during  the  trial  were  eating  his  dinner  with  a ‘‘  ” 

of  brandy  thrown  in.  A peculiar  trial  took  place,  in 
which  Parker  was  defendant.  The  Government  broke 
down  in  its  x^rosecution,  for  want  of  x)roof.  Those  who 
drank  at  Parker’s  bar  would  not  peach,  and  each  man 
X^retended  not  to  know  what  he  was  drinking.  At 
length  a witness  was  found  ; he  had  drank  at  Parker’s 


152 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


bar,  had  paid  for  his  liquors,  and  was  willing  to 
swear  to  it.  The  man  was  put  on  the  stand.  Parker, 
the  old  war-horse  of  the  court,  as  district-attorney 
began:  “Do  you  know  Parker?”  “Ido.”  “Did 
you  ever  drink  at  his  bar?  ” “ Yes.”  “ Pay  for  it  ? ” 

“Yes.”  “ Did  you  drink  brandy  ? ” “JSTo.”  “Gin?” 
“No.”  “Pum?”  “No.”  “ What  did  you  call  for  ? ” 
“Frank  Pierce.”  “What  did  you  get?”  “Frank 
Pierce.”  “Was  it  drawn  from  a cask?”  “It  was.” 
“Was  there  anything  on  the  cask?”  “Yes,  several 
things.”  “Name  one!”  “ Otard  brandy.”  “Oho! 
Then  you  drank  Otard  brandy.”  “No!  I drank 
Frank  Pierce.”  “Now  tell  the  court  and  jury  why 
you  believe  Otard  brandy  was  not  in  the  cask  when 
the  name  was  on  the  outside.”  “Well,  J.  D.  and  M. 
Williams  were  on  the  cask,  but  I don’t  think  those 
gentlemen  were  inside.”  Amid  roars  of  laughter  the 
witness  stepped  down. 


LXYII. 

ANECDOTES  OF  EMINENT  FOLKS. 

LL  men  have  not  the  same  gifts,  and  do  not 
jirosper  in  the  same  manner.  Men  must  be 
content  with  positions  suitable  to  their  tal- 
ents. Men  make  positions  ; positions  don’t 
make  men.  You  can’t  degrade  a llrst-class  man  by 
putting  him  in  a menial  office.  A third-rate  man  is 
the  same,  though  he  accidentally  stand  in  a first-rate 
position.  The  more  intelligent  a man  is  in  his  calling. 


ANECDOTES  OF  EMINENT  FOLKS.  • 153 

I 

other  things  being  equal,  the  higher  he  will  rise.  In 
every  trade  and  profession  there  are  swarms  of  ordin- 
ary men.  Talented  men  are  rare.  The  ability  and 
scholarship  of  onr  colleges  are  low.  Out  of  a thousand 
graduates  not  a dozen  will  be  eminent.  Dr.  Ware  said 
that  he  had  students  studying  theology  that  were  so 
stupid,  that  when  they  stole  a sermon,  they  always 
stole  a dull  one.  England  has  only  one  great  soldier 
at  a time.  In  an  army  of  a thousand  men,  one  hun- 
dred might  handle  a regiment ; fifty,  a brigade  ; twenty, 
a division ; not  two  in  the  thousand  could  conduct  a 
campaign.  One  hundred  men  in  a mercantile  house 
make  a good  living  in  subordinate  positions,  who  could 
not  carry  on  business  for  themselves.  Stewart  wel- 
comed to  his  store  men  who  failed  elsewhere,  if  they 
failed  without  dishonor.  Each  had  a circle  of  friends, 
and  could  do  for  him  what  they  could  not  do  for  them- 
selves. In  a great  mercantile  house  the  man  who  seems 
to  have  nothing  to  do  is  the  brains  of  the  house.  With- 
out him  the  establishment  would  come  crashing 
down.  He  walks  about,  seemingly  without  x)ur|)ose. 
Up-stairs,  down-stairs,  this  way  and  that.  He  knows 
the  price  of  gold,  the  rate  of  exchange,  the  run  of  the 
market,  and  the  value  of  men.  He  knows  what  grade 
is  full  and  what  is  lacking.  His  orders  are  sharp,  like 
a pilot  on  the  coast:  '^‘Fill  your  orders.”  '‘Take 
no  more.”  “Keep  up  your  line.”  “Stop  buying.” 
“Don’t  send  those  goods  out.”  These  sentences  in- 
dicate commercial  ability — they  are  worth  gold. 

Business  men  come  into  steaits,  as  shij^s  founder 
on  sunken  rocks.  They  develope  character,  good  and 
bad,  that  astonishes  their  friends.  You  can  judge  very 
slightly  of  a man  by  what  he  says  or  what  he  does. 
The  ridiculous  story  of  John  Gilpin  was  written  by 
Cowper  in  one  of  his  blackest  fits  of  dejection,  when  he 
meditating  suicide.  La  Fontaine,  one  of  the  purest  of 


154 


SUGGESSFUL  FOLKS. 


men,  filled  his  writings  with  impurity  and  intrigue. 
Cervantes,  pining  in  a loathsome  dungeon,  wrote  his 
comical  adventures  of  Don  Quixote.  Sterne  allowed 
his  mother  to  starve  while  he  was  drawing  tears  from 
the  eyes  of  the  public,  by  describing  the  agony  of  a 
dying  mule.  Swift  filled  the  whole  world  with  the 
praises  of  two  unfortunate  girls,  whose  fame  and  hap- 
piness he  blasted.  Petrarch  refined  his  race  as  an 
author,  and  deserted  and  neglected  his  family.  Zim- 
mermann  was  eloquent  in  praise  of  benevolence  ; yet  his 
tyranny  drove  one  son  to  madness,  and  one  daughter 
to  infamy.  Gibbon  subscribed  to  EpiscoiDacy,  and 
balanced  his  life  between  Infidelity  and  Pome.  Marco 
Polo  wrote  his  marvelous  stories  in  a dungeon  at  Pisa. 
The  beautiful  measures  of  Sellachio  were  penned  while 
he  was  a x)risoner  in  the  Tower  of  London.  Blacks  tone 
wrote  his  Commentaries  in  the  Temple,  with  a bottle 
of  port  at  his  side,  while  Goldsmith  and  his  boon  com- 
panions held  their  revels  over  his  head.  Thompson, 
while  writing  his  Castle  of  Indolence,  lounged  in  the 
garden  of  his  friends,  biting  off  the  sunny  side  of 
peaches.  The  son  of  Chesterfield,  to  whom  he  ad- 
dressed the  celebrated  letters  on  politeness,  and  whom 
he  proposed  the  make  the  first  gentleman  in  England, 
was  the  great  sloven  of  the  age,  helping  himself  at  a 
public  table  with  his  fingers,  and  licking  his  plate  with 
his  tongue. 

The  Iron  Duke  was  a great  martinet  in  religion. 
He  believed  in  the  book  of  common  prayer.  He  be- 
lieved in  the  articles  of  war.  He  was  the  guest  of 
Wadsworth  at  Mount  Drydal.  On  retiring  for  the 
night,  the  Duke  was  informed  that  prayers  woidd  be 
read  in  the  morning.  He  was  in  his  place  with  military 
precision.  Wadsworth  read  from  Thornton’s  Codec- 


ANECDOTES  OF  EMINENT  FOLKS. 


155 


tions.  At  tlie  close  Wellington  said:  ‘‘You  have 
fancy  prayers,  I see,”  and  he  never  came  again. 

Scarcely  two  eminent  men  have  the  same  peculiari- 
ties. Moore  bought  no  books,  but  read  from  the  pub- 
lic library  when  he  read  at  all.  The  small  library  he 
owned  was  filled  with  xiresentation  copies,  from  au- 
thors whose  names  were  on  the  fly-leaf.  Rogers  was 
very  kind  and  considerate  to  poor  writers.  He  saved 
the  national  Academy  from  extinction  by  his  royal 
gifts.  Schiller  could  only  write  when  under  the 
stimulus  of  strong  coffee,  and  he  composed  at  mid- 
night. Tally  dictated  to  his  attendant  under  the  influ- 
ence of  snuff.  Salaro  composed  in  the  street  with  pen 
and  pencil  in  hand  while  eating  bonbons.  Haydn 
before  he  composed  touched  the  ring  Frederick  the 
Great  gave  him.  Mozart  gathered  inspiration  from 
ten-pins,  and  Beethoven  from  solitude. 

Theodore  Parker  was  at  one  time  the  most  popu- 
lar platform  speaker  in  Boston.  The  Music  Hall  con- 
gregation numbered  two  thousand.  He  informs  us  that 
during  all  the  years  of  his  ministry,  only  two  hundred 
people  contributed  anything  to  his  support. 

JoAKXA  Baillie  was  Wadsworth’s  model  of  an 
English  woman  ; yet  she  was  insignificant  in  appear- 
ance, small  in  stature,  with  a mean,  shuffling  gait — but 
sensible,  vivacious,  and  gentle.  Madame  He  Stael, 
without  apology,  received  her  company  in  bed,  with 
face  like  a person  in  undress.  She  did  most  of  her 
writing  in  bed.  Mrs.  Walter  Scott  was  Frenchy,  thin, 
and  spare.  She  wms  a capital  housekeeper,  trained 
well  her  children,  advised  her  husband,  and  left  literary 
matters  to  him.  Lady  Mary  Montague  was  celebrated 
for  being  dirty  as  a child,  and  filthy  as  a woman.  She 


156 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


carried  painting  to  sncli  an  excess  that  she  was  often 
put  into  a warm  bath  and  scraped  by  her  servants. 
Soms  of  her  letters  are  so  broad  that  they  could  not, 
to-day,  be  read  in  polite  society. 

Dr.  Harvey  was  persecuted  almost  unto  death,  for 
his  now  famous  work  on  the  circulation  of  the  blood. 
His  practice  fell  off,  the  mob  chased  him  through  the 
streets,  and  his  life  was  threatened.  For  thirty  years 
his  theory  has  been  universally  adopted. 

PoRSOX,  the  great  linguist,  used  the  plainest 
Saxon.  When  in  conversation  he  used  a foreign  lan- 
guage he  translated  it.  Campbell’s  father  inspired 
him  with  a love  for  naval  songs.  An  old  harper  sang 
at  his  father’s  hearth-stone,  “Poor  Dog  Tray,”  and 
from  it  came  the  ballad,  “Brittania  needs  no  Bul- 
warks.” 

Walpole  drew  a sad  picture  of  Goldsmith’s  clos- 
ing hours.  The  poet  was  poor  and  forsaken.  He  lay 
sick  of  a purple  fever  on  a Hock  bed,  deserted  by  all  of 
his  gay  friends  and  literary  companions.  But  for  an 
old  charwoman,  he  would  have  died  in  absolute  want, 
without  an  acquaintance  to  close  his  eyes. 

The  celebrated  actress,  Faxxie,  had  the  short  sum- 
mer day  allotted  to  a brilliant  comedian.  She  was 
brought  down  with  a stroke  of  apoplexy.  She  lay  on 
her  poor  couch,  without  food,  medicine,  or  attendants. 
Her  dying  words  were  : “I  am  deserted  and  neglected 
whom  all  the  world  worshiped.” 

JoiTxsox  ate  like  a starved  man  ; till  his  appetite 
was  satisfied,  he  was  wholly  engrossed  with  his  food. 
His  veins  swelled,  and  perspiration  ran  down  his  face. 
His  diet  would  have  killed  most  men.  He  poured 


ANECDOTES  OF  EMINENT  FOLKS. 


157 


melted-butter  into  liis  cbocolate,  and  emptied  boats  of 
lobster-sance  over  liis  plum-pudding.  He  took  his 
breakfast  in  bed,  no  matter  who  his  host  might  be  ; ate 
at  the  table  with  his  lingers,  beat  the  servants,  and 
kept  the  house  in  a turmoil. 

Dr.  CirAivNiNG  took  his  drift  toward  liberalism 
when  he  was  ten  years  of  age.  He  heard  a sermon 
from  Dr.  Hopkins  on  the  judgment.  It  greatly  ex- 
cited the  young  man,  who  thought  that  if  that  doctrine 
was  true,  his  preparation  should  at  once  be  made. 
The  conduct  of  the  father  that  night  had  a life-long 
influence  on  the  son.  The  elder  Channing  said  nothing 
about  the  sermon  ; removed  his  boots  on  entering  his 
house ; called  for  his  paper,  and  sat  down  to  read. 
William  Ellery  concluded  that  his  father  did  not 
believe  one  word  of  the  sermon,  and  he  would  trouble 
himself  no  more  about  it. 

Dr.  Dewey  was  a charity  scholar,  and  was  carried 
through  his  education  by  the  ladies  of  Dr.  Spring’s 
church  at  Newburyport.  He  was  on  a visit  to  Dr. 
Sprague,  of  Springfleld.  The  doctor  sent  him  to  Boston 
on  an  errand.  Dewey  made  the  acquaintance  of  Dr. 
Buckminster  and  other  leading  Unitarians.  On  his 
return  to  Springfleld  he  found  Dr.  Sprague  sick  in  his 
bed.  During  family  prayer  he  leaned  over  and  whis- 
pered in  Dr.  Sprague’s  ear  that  he  entertained  doubts 
about  the  Trinity.  A conversation  revealed  the  fact 
that  he  had  gone  clear  over.  He  formally  united  with 
the  Unitarians  and  became  one  of  the  shining  lights  of 
the  sect. 

David  Madole  was  a roadside  blacksmith.  A 
carpenter  called  on  him  one  day  for  a hammer,  ‘^as 
good  a one  as  could  be  made.’*'  “Will  you  pay  for  it,” 


158 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


said  the  blacksmith,  ‘‘and  pay  my  priced’  The  car- 
penter said  he  would.  Before  sundown  six  workmen 
ordered  each  a hammer.  The  village  storekeeper  on 
the  same  day  ordered  two  dozen.  When  they  were 
delivered,  a New  York  merchant  was  in  town,  and  he 
left  an  order.  The  fame  of  Madole’s  hammers  from 
that  hour  traveled  over  the  land.  The  roadside  black- 
smith became  famous ; for  twenty-nine  years  he  kept 
up,  and  kept  at  his  work.  His  hammers  are  known 
all  over  the  civilized  world.  He  has  no  rivals,  and  no 
competitors.  The  market  has  no  effect  upon  him  ; he 
never  made  a poor  hammer.  He  never  asked  an  unfair 
price. 

Mu.  Tilestois”  was  of  the  well-known  firm  of  Spof- 
ford  & Tileston.  He  came  from  Cape  Cod,  a poor  boy, 
in  search  of  em]Dloyment.  He  took  a seat  on  a shoe- 
maker’s bench,  earned  a living  and  laid  up  a little 
money.  He  opened  in  a small  way,  a coast-wise  trade. 
He  was  reliable,  attentive,  prompt  and  honorable.  The 
house  was  a small  one,  but  merchants  spoke  well  of  it. 
An  agent  attempted  to  start  a steamship  line  between 
Charleston  and  New  York.  No  one  among  the  mer- 
chants would  touch  it.  One  man  said  : “ Spofford  & 
Tileston  want  business  ; perhaps  they  will  be  consign- 
ees.” It  was  a lucky  day  for  the  young  firm.  A con- 
tract was  entered  into  which  resulted  in  a fortune. 

When  the  Crown  Prince  and  his  cousin  moved 
the  German  army,  Moltke  was  scarcely  known  to  the 
military  world.  The  campaign  exhibited  a vigor  and 
a wisdom  that  indicated  an  able  and  an  experienced 
liead.  The  two  princes  were  admitted  to  be  good 
soldiers,  but  they  had  no  such  ability  as  was  displayed 
by  the  military  movements  of  the  hour.  A sharp 
watch  was  put  upon  the  German  headquarters.  In  the 


ANECDOTES  OF  FAMOUS  FOLKS. 


159 


rear  was  a tent  occupied  by  an  old  man  ; his  table  was 
covered  with  maps  and  drawings,  and  the  German 
commanders  made  a nightly  visit  to  this  mysterious 
person.  In  a few  months  the  name  of  Moltke  was 
known  throughout  the  world. 

Samuel  J.  Mills,  of  hay-stack  memory,  was  the 
son  of  an  old  preacher,  known  as  Father  Mills.  He  was 
a sort  of  missionary  in  and  around  Springfield.  In  his 
day  drinking  was  one  of  the  fine-arts.  Ho  one  was  or- 
dained, baptized  or  buried,  unless  the  social  cnp  went 
round.  There  was  a famous  tavern  on  father  Mills’s 
route,  where  he  rested.  Sling  was  a poimlar  drink — 
half  and  half — a gill  of  water  and  a gill  of  rum.  The 
preacher  said  : Make  me  a sling,  Mr.  Jones,  and  put 
in  a half  a gill  of  rum.”  Instead  of  being  weaker  than 
usual,  it  seemed  stronger.  After  the  glass  was  emptied, 
the  preacher  turned  to  the  tavern-keeper  and  said  : 
“ Mr.  Jones,  how  much  Jamaica  did  you  put  into  my 
sling?”  “I  put  in  what  you  told  me  to  jiut  in.  I 
made  the  sling,  and  then  added  half  a gill  of  rum.” 

Mr.  Jones,  please  bring  up  my  horse.” 

Mr.  Himmock  when  he  was  thirty-six  years  of  age 
became  one  of  the  lions  of  Wall  street.  He  came 
suddenly  to  the  front  and  was  one  of  the  most  daring 
speculators.  At  the  start  he  worked  for  two  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars  a year  as  a clerk.  He  became  a gold 
operator,  and  was  distinguished  for  his  success.  The 
story  was  that  he  cleared  five  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars in  one  transaction.  He  lost  in  one  stock  in  a day 
over  one  million.  He  then  turned  to  real  estate, 
operating  on  the  same  gigantic  scale.  Like  Stewart, 
he  resolved  to  build  up  a town.  Besides  his  mansion 
costing  him  half  a million,  he  settled  a minister  on 
speculation,  and  iDroposed  to  establish  a oh  arch  on  the 


IGO 


. SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


same  glittering  basis.  Of  course  the  whole  thing  was 
a grand  failure. 

The  life  of  the  boy  Antoine  is  a very  romantic 
one.  He  was  heir  to  an  ancient  name.  He  was  born 
at  Cremona,  and  near  his  home  was  a quaint  old  work- 
shop of  Nicholas  Amati.  In  this  house  the  famous 
violins  had  been  made  for  over  a century.  The  boy 
Antoine  was  fascinated  with  the  sweet  sound  of  the 
Cremonas.  He  would  do  no  business,  but  hung  around 
the  old  work-shop.  He  was  filled  with  joy  when  the 
master  accepted  him  as  an  apprentice.  The  boy  was 
sensitive,  delicate,  and  artistic.  He  soon  mastered 
every  branch  of  the  trade.  At  the  age  of  twenty-six 
he  left  the  work-shop  to  set  u]3  for  himself.  He 
startled  the  world  by  daring  to  change  both  the  size 
and  form  of  the  famous  instrument,  adding  to  the 
power,  while  he  retained  the  original  sweetness.  He 
departed  at  the  age  of  ninety -three,  having  attained 
fame  and  fortune,  and  left  his  secret  with  his  son. 

There  is  nothing  more  delusive  than  the  Glamor  of 
Biciies.  Great  men  when  analyzed  usually  prove  to 
be  very  small  men.  Their  fame  usually  hangs  on  a 
very  slender  thread.  They  came  into  notice  by  some 
sudden  turn  or  some  simple  event  which  they  did  their 
best  to  avert.  Celsus,  the  renowned  prototype  of  Paine, 
lived  in  the  third  century.  He  would  have  been 
wholly  unknown,  but  for  the  notice  Origen  takes  of 
him  in  his  apology  for  the  faith.  Mahomet  dictated 
the  Koran  when  he  could  neither  read  nor  write.  It 
was  written  on  bones  and  skins,  and  produced  at  vari- 
ous times  to  suit  an  emergency.  Saint  Athanasius  was 
a small,  slender,  spare  man,  and  passed  a stormy  life 
between  ovations  and  disgrace.  As  Arians  repeated 
the  Apostles’  Creed,  he  issued  his  famous  creed  as  a 
bulwark  against  Unitarianism.  A summer  residence 


ANECDOTES  OF  EMINENT  FOLKS. 


161 


on  the  Seine,  built  by  J ulian  the  Apostate,  was  really 
the  foundation  of  the  city  of  Paris.  He  took  a vow  to 
rebuild  the  Temple  at  Jerusalem  to  falsify  the  x^redic- 
tion  of  the  Saviour.  In  the  fatal  battle  with  the  Per- 
sians he  was  pierced  with  a javelin.  He  drew  out  the  fa- 
tal bolt,  stained  with  his  blood,  shook  it  toward  the  sky, 
and  shouted  : “Oh,  Galileean  ! thou  hast  conquered,” 
and  fell  in  death.  Constantine  was  defender  of  the 
faith,  sat  among  the  bishops,  and  decided  the  miracles 
and  mysteries  of  the  Gospel.  A^et  he  was  not  a iiro- 
fessor  of  religion.  He  was  baptized  on  his  death-bed, 
by  the  Bishop  of  Hicomedia.  Cromwell  died  a ruler 
of  England,  and  was  buried  in  the  tombs  of  the  kings. 
He  was  disinterred  by  order  of  the  Government,  and  his 
body  subjected  to  every  mark  of  indignity.  His  head 
was  cut  olf  and  stuck  on  a iiole  at  Temx-)le  Bar.  His 
mutilated  body  was  hung  in  chains  on  a gibbet.  At 
Tyburn,  the  most  infamous  jiart  of  London,  a hole  was 
dug,  into  which  the  bones  of  the  great  soldier  were 
thrown,  and  in  which  his  ashes  now  rei)ose.  Tyburn 
is  now  the  most  fashionable  part  of  London.  Near  the 
dishonored  grave  of  Cromw^ell,  is  the  magnificent  me- 
morial erected  by  the  Queen  to  Prince  Albert.  A 
brass  plate  on  the  tomb  of  the  kings  still  bears  the 
name  of  Cromwell.  The  descendants  of  the  Puritan 
ruler,  and  the  descendants  of  Charles  the  First,  inter- 
married in  the  fourth  degree. 

✓ 

Few  persons  succeed  through  genius  or  -talent: 
These  are  valuable  allies,  but  they  are  damaging  when 
they  usurp  the  x)lace  of  solid  labor  and  endurance. 
Versatility  can  do  little  for  a man  in  the  race  for  per- 
manent xirosj^erity.  It’s  no  advantage  to  a man  if  he 
can  turn  his  hand  to  anything.  It  a common  saying 
that  an  English  sailor  can  tie  a knot  only  in  one  way, 
while  a A^ankee  can  knot  a rope  in  a dozen  w'ays.  But 
11 


162 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


the  English  knot  never  slips.  The  Archbishop  of  Can- 
terbury was  a very  modest,  painstaking,  hard-work- 
ing parish  priest.  So  he  promised  to  live  and  die. 
The  cholera  broke  out  in  London,  and  the  nurses, 
panic-stricken,  fled,  leaving  the  poor  to  suffer.  Dr. 
Tate  and  his  wife  commenced  a visitation  among  the 
hovels  of  the  lowly.  They  took  the  place  of  nurses  and 
doctor.  They  went  from  cot  to  cot,  administering  tem- 
poral relief  as  well  as  medicines.  This  devotion  touched 
the  heart  of  the  Queen,  and  she  elevated  the  devoted 
and  faithful  priest  to  the  noble  position  of  Bishop  of 
London.  He  never  forgot  the  poor,  and  the  same  traits 
that  won  liim  the  mitre  of  London,  made  him  primate 
of  all  England. 

A Coffee-House,  supported  mainly  by  actors  and 
actresses,  who  dined  when  most  people  went  to  bed 
and  retired  when  the  busy  day  awoke  London,  cele- 
brated for  its  gay  company  and  aromatic  punch,  was 
not  exactly  the  place  to  look  for  a fortune.  Yet  one 
of  the  most  eminent  chancellors  of  the  English  bench 
took  his  first  step  toward  the  woolsack  from  Mando’s 
Coffee  House.  He  was  a briefless  lawyer  without 
friends  or  home.  He  wrote  a little  for  the  papers,  and 
thus  obtained  the  run  of  one  or  two  theaters.  Out  of 
pity  he  was  asked  occasionally  to  step  into  the  coffee- 
room  among  the  wits  and  actors  of  the  times.  A case 
was  given  to  him  which  was  utterly  hopeless.  He  passed 
eight  years  of  his  life  in  intense  toil — sometimes  on  the 
verge  of  starvation,  and  sometimes  nearly  mad  with 
despair.  To  the  astonishment  of  the  bar  and  the  world 
he  won  a verdict.  The  authorities  he  cited,  precedents 
and  cases  he  hunted  up,  and  the  amount  of  learning 
he  gathered  was  simply  stupendous.  On  that  solid 
foundation,  amid  those  years  of  penury  and  toil,  he 
built  his  claims  to  the  chancellorship. 


ANECDOTES  OF  EMINENT  FOLKS. 


163 


IN’apoleon’  was  a young  soldier  out  of  favor  with 
the  Government  and  out  of  employment.  He  did  a 
kind  thing  for  Abbe  Raynal,  and  the  jiriest  found  him 
one  night  on  the  Grand  Plaza  sullen,  despondent  and 
resolved  to  throw  up  his  commission  in  the  morning. 
The  Abbe  took  the  young  soldier  by  the  arm,  and 
led  him  into  the  salon  of  Madame  De  Stael.  It 
was  a brilliant  party,  and  among  the  guests  were  Lafay- 
ette, Talleyrand  and  others.  The  city  was  thoroughly 
alarmed,  being  in  the  hands  of  the  mob.  The  Bastile 
had  fallen,  the  troops  had  fraternized  with  the  mob, 
and  society  was  unhinged.  These  outbreaks  were  dis- 
cussed with  great  animation.  Napoleon  w^as  silent. 
He  w^as  a slim,  grave,  dark-looking  youth,  and  mid  the 
fiercest  discussions  not  a muscle  of  his  face  moved. 
Turning  to  the  Abbe,  Madame  I)e  Stael  said  : “What 
does  your  young  military  friend  think  of  all  this?” 
Naiioleon  stepped  forward  and  with  great  boldness  an- 
nounced his  views.  He  scouted  the  effeminate  tempo- 
rizing views  put  forth  to  preserve  peace.  He  answered, 
with  the  eloquence  of  later  years,  the  arguments  put 
forth  by  Lafayette  and  other  eminent  men  of  the  party. 
“ The  government  is  x^owerless,”  he  said,  “because  it’s 
wreak  ; blood  must  flow  ; the  streets  must  be  enfiladed. 
Give  me  a park  of  artillery  and  I will  govern  Paris.” 
His  opinions  fiew"  over  the  city  like  electric  light.  The 
Committee  of  Safetj^  called  for  him  the  next  morning. 
He  had  wmrk  enough  to  do.  He  entered  the  party  a 
nonentity,  meditating  suicide  ; he  left  it  the  lion  of  the 
hour,  having  taken  the  first  step  toward  the  Empire. 

Erskixe,  the  great  English  barrister,  owed  his  rise 
to  an  accident.  The  path-wmy  to  eminence  at  the 
English  bar  w’^as  a rugged  one.  Erskine  was  a briefless 
barrister,  wdth  scarcely  enough  in  his  pocket  to  buy  a 
frugal  dinner.  He  was  at  a rural  inn  ; called  for  his 


164 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


frugal  meal  and  soon  devoured  it.  A stranger  sat  op- 
posite, with  an  elegant  spread  before  him.  Out  of  sheer 
fun,  Erskine,  one  of  the  best  talkists  of  the  age,  re- 
solved to  entertain  his  companion,  and  see  how  far  he 
could  go  without  irritating  him.  The  stranger  was  so 
delighted  that  he  insisted  that  Erskine  should  share 
his  meal,  and  inquired  his  profession.  Erskine  had 
wit  enough  to  keep  his  poverty  to  himself.  Strange 
enough,  the  man  was  in  search  of  a barrister,  and  put 
a brief  at  once  into  the  hands  of  his  entertainer.  He 
gave  the  young  advocate  more  money  as  a retainer, 
than  he  ever  saw  before  in  his  life.  That  single  case 
elevated  the  poor  lawyer  into  a prominent  practice. 
Ho  one  who  knew  Disraeli’s  early  life,  would  have 
promised  him  distinction  in  the  government.  He  was 
a thorough  coxcomb,  “all  fur,  lace,  and  ruffles.”  Yet 
underneath  the  froth  was  the  genuine  liquor.  Rubens 
always  contended  that  he  rose  as  a painter  from  his 
avarice.  His  table  was  lean  and  mean,  and  the  gay 
crowd  that  led  the  talented  in  dissipation  seldom 
crossed  Rubens’  threshold.  He  gave  the  time  to  labor 
that  others  spent  in  dissipation,  and  so  made  himself 
the  artist  of  the  age. 

Few  Americans  are  as  worthy  of  study  as  Silas 
W RIGHT.  The  office  in  which  he  studied  law  was  a saw- 
mill. He  began  to  practice  before  he  had  ever  read  the 
simplest  elements  of  legal  lore.  He  was  an  equity  law- 
yer from  necessity.  He  had  that  sense  of  justice 
which  marked  Washington,  which  led  the  very  boys 
to  abide  by  his  judgment  in  their  disputes.  Clients 
came  to  him  while  he  was  sawing  logs — nor  did  the 
mill  rest  for  the  consultations.  He  gave  advice  to  all 
comers.  He  healed  divisions  among  neighbors,  re- 
moved family  alienations,  united  husbands  and  wives, 
and  advised  everybody  to  settle  their  cases  out  of 


ANECDOTES  OF  EMINENT  FOLKS. 


165 


court.  He  seldom  charged  over  fifty  cents, — the  poor 
had  nothing  to  pay.  He  took  the  fee  from  the  miserly 
landlord,  and  gave  it  to  the  oppressed  tenant.  His  fair- 
ness, candor,  justice,  and  ability,  spread  his  fame  far 
and  wide.  Everybody  talked  of  the  young  judge  at 
the  mill.  He  was  so  popular  that  when  nominated  for 
an  office,  in  a district  that  was  politically  opposed  to 
him,  two  to  one,  he  received  every  vote  except  three. 
New  York  has  had  many  honored  in  the  United  States 
Senate,  but  none  more  honored  than  Silas  Wright. 

Gex.  Scott  had  a quarrel  with  the  Secretary  of 
War.  Every  one  was  surprised  when  the  Secretary 
accompanied  Gen.  Scott  to  the  Canadian  frontier.  The 
Secretary  said:  ‘‘The  country  has  no  quarrel  with 
Gen.  Scott;  it  needs  his  services,  and  he  is  too  much 
of  a patriot  to  allow  private  grievances  to  interfere 
with  public  duty.”  The  Carolina  affair  had  an  ugly 
outlook.  The  presence  of  the  head  of  the  War  De- 
partment and  the  General  of  the  Army  was  required 
in  Canada.  But  more  than  once  the  Secretary  was 
mortified  that  j)eace  or  war  was  in  the  hands  of  Gen. 
Scott.  He  would  talk  of  nothing  but  Lundy’s  Lane, 
and  his  part  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  was  conceited, 
dogmatic  and  supercilious.  So  the  parties  separated 
for  the  night.  The  Secretary  could  not  sleep.  He 
rose  at  four,  but  early  as  the  hour  was  it  found  Gen. 
Scott  stirring.  He  was  another  man,  clear,  simple, 
concise  in  his  statements.  He  had  a plan  completely 
drawn,  and  appended  to  it  was  an  answer  to  every 
question  the  Secretary  of  War  had  asked  the  day  before. 
The  plan  for  settling  the  difficulties  needed  no  amend- 
ment. It  was  carried  out,  and  was  successful.  The 
Secretary  said  : “ Men  that  don’t  know  Scott  call  him 
fuss  and  feathers,  but  with  his  sword  drawn  he  is  the 
bravest  and  ablest  man  I ever  knew.” 


166 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


The  Sweets  were  natural  bone-setters.  The  gift 
has  descended  to  the  third  generation.  No  matter  how 
men  account  for  it  they  have  a talent  which  amounts  to 
insxDiration  in  connection  with  human  bones.  A well  - 
known  merchant  was  thrown  from  his  wagon,  and 
broke  his  legs  at  the  ankles.  The  bones  were  artisti- 
cally set,  and  a cure  pronounced,  yet  the  man  could 
not  walk.  He  lay  for  months  on  his  bed  unable  to  rise 
though  the  surgeon  pronounced  the  cure  complete. 
“Things  can’t  be  any  woisse,”  he  said,  and  sent  for 
Dr.  Sweet.  The  rough  surgeon  entered  the  room— 
gave  the  patient  a look  in  the  face — threw  up  the  bed- 
clothes at  the  foot,  and  said  : “ Your  right  hip  is  out 
of  joint.”  He  took  the  leg  in  his  hand,  gave  a snap  that 
sounded  like  the  report  of  a pistol ; simply  said  as  he 
left  a lotion  : “Bathe  and  walk.”  He  turned  from  the 
house  leaving  the  patient  cured. 

De.  Physic  had  a feeble  bodily  presence,  and 
looked  more  like  a lad  in  poor  health  than  like  the 
first  surgeon  of  his  age.  Few  got  the  advantage  of 
him  in  repartee.  He  was  once  asked  how  he,  a mere 
boy,  felt  when  holding  a consultation  with  six 
burly  doctors,  and  replied : “I  feel  like  a silver  six- 
pence amid  six  coppers — worth  the  whole  lot  and 
a quarter  over.”  When  visiting  yjatients  he  was 
often  attended  by  his  students.  He  visited  an  aristo- 
cratic patient  whom  it  was  difficult  to  control.  He  felt 
of  her  x)ulse,  and  ordered  her  to  run  out  her  tongue, 
when  he  said:  “Madame,  you  have  been  eating  oys- 
ters. If  you  again  disobey  my  orders,  I will  throw  up 
the  case.”  On  retiring,  the  astonished  student  said  : 
“ Could  you  tell  by  the  looks  of  that  woman’s  tongue, 
that  she  had  been  eating  oysters  ?”  “No,  you  fool.  I 
saw  the  shells  under  the  bed ; you  must  keep  your 
eyes  open  if  you  want  to  know  anything  in  this  world.” 


ANECDOTES  OF  EMINENT  FOLKS. 


167 


Ph3^sic  looked  so  iioorly,  tliat  it  is  said  a lady  once 
offered  him  a piece  of  bread  and  molasses,  supposing 
he  must  be  hungry.  This  incident  will  remind  one  of 
the  banker  Coutts.  When  he  could  draw  his  check 
for  ten  millions,  he  dressed  as  meanly  as  a porter.  In 
the  bluest  cold  weather  he  wore  no  overcoat,  and  his 
attenuated,  tall,  lean  frame  looked  like  the  genius  of 
famine.  A kind-hearted  mechanic  saw  him  one  morn- 
ing shuffling  down  the  Strand,  and  offered  him  a shil- 
ling. ‘‘  I am  not  in  immediate  want,”  said  the  banker, 
as  he  shuffled  on.  When  Fulton  was  residing  in  New 
York,  the  heads  of  the  people  were  turned  over  the 
discover}^  of  perpetual  motion.  It  was  a jiractical  fact ; 
an}"  one  could  see  the  machine,  by  visiting  a loft  on 
Cedar  street.  As  a practical  mechanic,  Fulton  derided 
the  idea,  saying  : ‘‘You  can  not  have  perpetual  motion, 
till  a -man  can  pull  himself  up  in  his  boots.”  At 
length  he  yielded  to  the  entreaty  of  his  friends  to  look 
on  this  marvelous  piece  of  mechanism.  The  moment 
he  heard  the  sound  of  the  machiner}",  he  exclaimed : 
“That’s  crank  motion.”  His  practiced  eai>  detected 
at  once  the  inequality  of  the  motion.  An  axe  was 
brought,  the  floor  ripped  up,  the  band  brought  to  light, 
and  the  humbug  exploded. 

I heard  Daniel  Webster  say  that  he  was  once 
overreached  by  a Quaker  who  farmed  him  out.  The 
Supreme  Court  was  held  once  a year  at  Nantucket. 
The  island  was  then  occupied  by  wealthy  merchants, 
whose  wealth  lay  mainly  in  whale  fishery.  Though 
the  court  was  held  but  a week,  some  of  the  heaviest 
cases  were  tried  in  Nantucket.  A Quaker  sought  to 
retain  Mr.  Webster.  The  lawyer  said  he  should  de- 
mand a fee  of  one  thousand  dollars  ; he  would  have 
to  si)end  the  week  on  the  island  ; would  as  soon 
argue  the  whole  docket  as  one  case.  The  Quaker 


168 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


agreed  to  give  Mr.  Webster  one  thousand  dollars  on 
condition  that  he  would  argue  any  case  that  he  should 
present  to  him  that  preceded  his  own.  The  contract 
was  signed  between  the  parties.  The  Quaker  went 
home  and  visited  all  the  leading  litigants,  saying  : 
‘‘What  will  thee  give  me  if  I get  the  great  Daniel 
Webster  to  argue  thy  case?”  He  drove  the  best 
bargain  he  could,  running  his  fees  up  from  one  hun- 
dred to  five  hundred  dollars  each.  When  Mr.  Web- 
ster landed  on  the  island,  he  found  twelve  cases  waiting 
his  attention.  He  argued  them  like  a man,  now  for 
plaintiff,  now  for  defendant  ; now  a verdict,  now  a de- 
feat. The  Quaker  won  his  suit,  and  he  footed  u'p  the 
balance.  It  read:  “Verdict  and  two  thousand  cash, 
after  paying  counsel  fee^i  and  expenses.” 

One  morning  a well-known  merchant  called  on  a 
friend  as  he  was  going  down  town.  He  wore  a dilapi- 
dated look  and  appeared  to  be  thoroughly  demoralized. 
His  friend  exx)ressed  astonishment  at  his  ajjpearance. 
The  explanation  was  : “ I have  failed  ; I’ve  got  to  come  to 
this,  and  I may  as  well  begin  to-day.”  “ I would  not  be  a 
fool  if  I had  failed.  Go  down  town  as  you  are  and  you’re 
ruined  sure  enough.  Go  home  ; dress  yourself  in  your 
best;  wear  diamonds,  if  you’ve  got  any;  bring  out 
your  horses  ; dash  into  the  streets  with  your  head  up.” 
The  bankrupt  had  sense  enough  to  see  the  value  of  this 
advice.  As  he  drove  past  the  windows  where  the  men 
sat  who  held  his  fate  in  their  hands,  they  exclaimed : 
“ Hello  ! there  goes  Jones  ; I dorr  t think  things  are  as 
bad  with  him  as  men  said  ; I guess  he  will  come  out 
all  right.”  And  he  did. 

Dean  Tillottson’s  forethought  and  shrewdness 
made  him  archbishop  of  Canterbury.  He  was  dean  of 
the  church,  and  out  of  favor  with  James  II.  He  was 


ANECDOTES  OF  EMINENT  FOLKS. 


169 


in  such  fear  of  liis  life  that  he  went  to  sea.  He  had 
scarcely  landed  on  his.  return,  before  William  and 
Mary  set  fo5t  on  the  British  Isles.  William  needed 
nothing  so  much  as  money.  The  dean  took  all  the 
silver  he  could  collect  from  any  and  every  source, 
melted  it  down  as  bullion,  and  introduced  himself  to 
the  new  ruler  with  this  acceptable  gift.  The  donation 
made  a very  favorable  impression  on  the  new  sovereign, 
which  he  gratefully  remembered  by  raising  the  giver 
to  the  primacy  of  all  England.  Soon  after  his  intro- 
duction to  Lambeth  Palace,  Tillottson  heard  an  alterca- 
tion between  his  porter  and  a visitor.  Soon  the  indig- 
nant official  appeared,  and  announced  that  an  insolent 
old  man  was  at  the  door  demanding  admittance,  asking 
if  John  Tillottson  was  at  home.  The  door  had  been 
slammed  in  his  face,  and  still  he  refused  to  move.  ‘‘  It 
must  be  my  father,”  said  the  archbishop,  and  hastened 
down  to  embrace  him.  He  was  a plain  old  Quaker, 
giving  titles  to  neither  juries t nor  king. 

The  STAU-SpAiiGLED  Banner  will  be  sung  while 
the  nation  endures.  Hot  the  least  remarkable  thing 
about  it  was  its  origin.  Key  watched  the  bombard- 
ment of  Fort  Henry  from  the  dock  ; at  night  he  saw 
the  banner  by  “ the  rocket’s  red  glare.”  He  was  early 
on  the  lookout,  and  saw  that  the  ‘‘flag  was  still 
there.”  He  was  ordered  to  visit  the  fleet,  bearing  a 
flag  of  truce.  In  an  open  boat  he  wrote  his  “ Star- 
Si)angled  Banner”  on  the  back  of  a letter,  while  Ad- 
miral Cockburn  held  the  tiller. 

The  Kemps,  who  control  the  wealthiest  drug- house 
in  the  city,  owe  their  success  to  the  fidelity  and  sacri- 
fice of  their  mother.  Forty  years  ago  she  was  a widow 
with  several  small  children  depending  on  her.  She 
opened  a small  grocery-store  on  the  corner  of  Broome 
and  Kidge  streets,  in  Hew  York.  She  laid  up  a little 


170 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


money  by  constant  toil  and  perseverance,  gave  her 
children  a good  education,  started  them  off  with  good 
principles,  and  they  are  among  the  merchant  princes 
of  the  hour. 

Bishop  Janes’  celebrated  farm  in  New  Jersey  is 
now  owned  by  Francis  Oliver.  He  worked  his  joassage 
from  the  North  of  Ireland  to  the  Hudson.  He  made 
friends  on  board  the  vessel,  and  the  officers  and  jias- 
sengers  gave  him  a letter  of  recommendation.  The 
letter  fell  into  the  hands  of  Mrs.  Janes,  who  wanted  a 
steady,  sober,  reliable  farm-hand.  She  sent  Mr.  Oliver 
to  the  farm,  where  he  has  remained  for  over  thirty 
years.  He  now  owns  the  bishop’s  farm,  and  is  a 
wealthy  and  honored  man.  Abel  Stevens,  the  histo- 
rian of  the  Methodist  Church,  was  taken  out  of  the 
streets  by  a Christian,  clothed,  and  put  in  a Sunday- 
school,  where  the  first  steps  of  a Christian  life  began. 
McDonough,  himself  a religious  man,  knew  the  power 
of  religious  sentiments  on  seamen.  Before  a battle  he 
cleared  the  decks,  threw  the  flag  over  the  capstan, 
ordered  the  crew  to  divine  worship,  and  always  drew 
his  sword  when  the  chaplain  made  an  appeal  to  the 
God  of  Battles. 

Some  men  are  helped  on  their  way  by  quick-witted- 
ness. A man  who  was  not  a regular  customer  called 
at  a mercantile  house  and  was  shown  goods.  As  he 
left  the  store  the  merchant  called  to  the  salesman  and 
said  : ‘ AVhat  have  you  been  doing  all  this  forenoon  ? ” 
‘‘Customer  has  been  buying  very  heavy,  and  buying 
an  unusual  line.”  “Don’t  deliver  anything  till  I tell 
you  ! ” The  merchant  walked  coolly  into  a store  and 
said:  “When  do  you  expect  Mr.  Jones?”  “He’s 
here  now.”  “Is  he  buying  largely?”  “He  ordered 
largely,  but  we  are  not  willing  to  deliver.”  “Put 


ANECDOTES  OF  EMINENT  FOLKS. 


171 


back  those  goods,”  the  merchant  said  when  he  entered 
his  store.  ‘‘ Your  customer  can’ t get  trusted  else- 
where. I suspected  as  much.”  In  ten  days  Mr.  Jones 
suspended. 

Mr.  Hopkins  was  the  son  of  the  paralytic  signer 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  In  1770  he  com- 
posed “Hail  Columbia,”  and  called  it  the  President’s 
March.  It  was  called  out  by  a prospective  war  with 
France.  It  was  never  popular,  and  fell  into  disrepute. 
To  help  Hopkins  some  friends  proposed  a compliment 
to  him  in  one  of  the  theaters.  A little  theatrical 
finesse  was  resorted  to,  to  give  eclat  to  the  song.  The 
President  promised  to  honor  the  occasion  with  his  pres- 
ence. And  as  he  took  his  seat  in  the  gorgeously- 
arrayed  box,  the  band  struck  up  Hail  Columbia.  The 
audience  came  to  their  feet,  and  amid  grfeat  applause 
joined  in  the  chorus.  That  evening  settled  the  popu- 
larity of  the  composition,  and  Hail  Columbia  has  held 
the  front  rank  among  our  national  ballads  for  a hun- 
dred years. 

The  MARINES  would  have  held  Washington  when 
the  British  burned  the  capitol,  had  Commodore  Bar- 
ney’s powder  held  out.  The  President  and  Cabinet 
fled  and  hid  themselves  in  what  is  still  known  as  the 
“cave  of  secretion.”  The  cowardice  of  the  officials 
was  lampooned  in  the  doggerel  of  the  day : 

■ “Fly,  Armstrong,  fly;  run,  Monroe,  run; 

Were  the  first  words  of  Madison.” 

Commodore  Barney  and  the  marines  resisted  the  ap- 
proach of  the  British.  With  a swivel  gun  they  held 
the  force  at  bay  until  the  powder  gave  out,  when  the 
brave  soldiers  retreated  in  good  order. 


172 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


The  popular  tune  which  Mason'  affixed  to  Heber’s 
Missionary  Hymn  was  as  accidental  as  the  hymn  itself. 
Saturday  night  found  Heber  at  the  house  of  a relative, 
in  whose  pulpit  he  was  to  preach  the  next  morning. 
The  sermon  was  to  be  a missionary  one,  and  as  Heber 
took  the  candle  to  retire,  his  relative  suggested  that  he 
should  write  a hymn  to  be  sung  on  the  occasion.  He 
appeared  at  the  table  next  morning  in  good  spirits,  and 
read  to  the  delighted  company  his  famous  song,  “From 
Greenland’s  Icy  Mountains.”  It  was  sung  that  day  to 
an  old  naval  tune,  known  as  “’Twas  When  the  Sea  was 
Roaring.”  The  hymn  became  instantly  and  almost 
universally  popular.  Lowell  Mason  was  in  Savannah, 
a clerk  in  one  of  the  banks,  in  1818.  On  his  way  to 
church  one  morning,  he  met  a friend  who  called  his  at- 
tention to  Heber’s  hymn.  The  verses  so  impressed 
him  that  he  could  think  of  nothing  else  during  the 
sermon.  On  reaching  home  he  put  his  fingers  on  the 
keys  of  the  piano  and  the  tune  rolled  itself  out  without 
effort.  The  tune  attained  a popularity  quite  as  wonder- 
ful as  the  hymn.  It  called  him  to  Boston ; gave  him 
the  lead  of  the  Handel  and  Haydn  Society,  and  gave 
him  the  publication  of  its  music — and  a fortune. 

The  fame  of  the  Rothschilds  rested  on  the  solid 
foundation  of  integrity.  Mayer  Rothschild  was  a 
broker  in  a small  way.  He  lived  in  humble  style,  and 
was  content  with  small  earnings.  The  revolution 
raged,  and  the  French  were  at  the  gates  of  the  city. 
One  dark  and  stormy  night  the  Landgrave  knocked  at 
the  door  of  the  banker’s  cottage,  and  said  : “ Here  are 
my  treasures,  my  jewels,  with  three  millions  of  tha- 
lers. I must  fly  ! You  are  honest,  but  are  too  poor  to 
be  suspected ! Keep  this  fortune  till  better  times.  If 
the  French  sack  your  house,  it  will  be  no  fault  of 
yours.”  The  city  was  sacked,  and  the  house  of  the 


ANECDOTES  OF  EMINENT  FOLKS. 


173 


Rothschilds  was  not  spared.  Long  after,  the  Land- 
grave knocked  at  the  banker’s  door:  “Peace  is  come 
at  last  ; it  has  cost  me  dear,  and  I’m  penniless.  Will 
an  old  friend  loan  me  a small  sum  on  an  indemnity  I 
shall  receive  in  Hesse  Cassel?”  “I  will  loan  you,” 
said  the  banker,  “three  millions  of  thalers,  with  no 
security  at  all.  I lost  my  own  money,  but  I have  kept 
yours.  I used  it  as  a capital.  Out  of  it  I’ve  made  a 
fortune.  I will  return  it  to  you  with  five  per  cent,  for 
its  use.” 

Zedlitz,  the  famous  Prussian  general,  won  his 
spurs  by  an  act  of  daring.  The  eagle-eyed  Frederic 
had  singled  him  out  as  a hero,  when  he  was  lieutenant 
in  the  army.  He  was  ordered  to  attend  the  king  in  a 
reconnoitre.  Crossing  a bridge,  the  king  suddenly 
said  to  the  young  soldier:  “What  would  you  do  if 
both  avenues  to  the  bridge  were  in  possession  of  the 
enemy  f’  “I  would  do  this,”  and  leaped  his  horse 
over  the  rail  into  the  Oder.  He  swam  safely  ashore, 
and  was  saluted  by  the  delighted  king  as  major,  before 
he  landed. 

Oakes  Ames  worked  out  a fortune  on  an  anvil.  He 
was  shovel-maker  to  the  world,  producing  from  his 
forge  a half  a million  a year.  Men  digged  with  his 
shovels  on  the  coast  of  Guinea,  in  the  Arctic  snows,  in 
the  mines  of  California,  and  in  the  collieries  of  the  old 
world.  He  hammered  out  a fortune  which  ought  to 
have  sufficed  him.  He  had  become  great  as  a shovel- 
maker,  why  not  equally  great  as  a banker?  He  buried 
one  hundred  thousand  in  speculations  on  the  Pacific 
Coast.  He  sunk  thousands  in  cotton,  stocks  became 
playthings,  and  he  blew  bubbles  in  the  air  that  cost  him 
millions.  He  failed  for  eight  millions,  and  in  his  fall 
ruined  more  men  politically,  financially,  and  morally, 


174 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


than  any  man  of  his  age.  His  victims  were  strewn  from 
the  Bay  of  Newfoundland  to  the  Golden  Gate. 

Dr.  Hawes  was  the  son  of  a blacksmith.  His 
father  was  a drunkard  and  an  unbeliever.  At  an  early 
age  Joel  was  converted,  and  was  aided  by  a lady  school- 
teacher in  securing  an  education.  He  studied  while  at 
the  forge.  The  swing  of  his  arms  with  a big  hammer 
in  the  ten  pound  ten,”  was  his  emphatic  gesture  in 
his  palmy  days.  He  was  a famous  rider,  and  groomed 
his  own  horse.  He  was  fond  of  a race,  taking  the  early 
morning  and  back  road  for  a good  run.  He  wrote 
slowly,  composed  with  great  labor,  and  paused  between 
his  sentences.  He  was  impatient  at  interruption,  and 
when  called  from  his  study,  came  down  pen  in  hand,  a 
hint  to  the  visitor  to  be  brief. 


LXYIII. 

THE  BENT  OF  A BOY. 

ITCH  that  is  called  Government  in  families, 
is  nothing  but  tyranny.  Parents  punish 
when  they  are  mad,  and  announce  laws 
when  they  are  at  the  white  heat  of  passion. 
These  they  carry  out  to  be  consistent,  as  Herod  cut  off 
the  head  of  John  the  Baptist,  because  he  said  he  would. 
No  punishment  is  of  any  advantage,  that  doesn’t  carry 
the  conscience  of  the  child  with  it.  A boy  that  is  un- 
justly dealt  with,  and  unfairly  treated,  is  harmed  for 
life.  Boys  have  likes  and  dislikes,  and  in  a projjer 


THE  BENT  OF  A BOY. 


175 


wav,  their  tastes  are  to  be  respected.  Usually,  out  of 
many  dishes,  if  there  is  one  the  child  dislikes,  he  will 
be  heljjed  to  that,  with  the  injunction  to  eat  it,  or  go 
to  bed  without  supper.  This  tyranny  over  the  lads  is 
especially  cruel  when  it  keeps  them  from  a calling  they 
desire,  and  binds  them  for  life  to  one  that  they  hate. 
Some  boys  hate  farming,  and  want  a trade  ; some  dis- 
like preaching,  and  ask  for  the  law  ; some  will  not 
stand  beliind  a counter  and  measure  ribbon,  but  run 
away  and  go  to  sea.  The  bent  of  a boy  usually  comes 
out,  and  if  the  calling  he  seeks  is  an  honorable  one,  it 
is  an  unwise  father  and  improper  guardian  that  hedges 
up  the  way  of  the  lad.  ISTelsox  was  a sailor  at  six. 
When  his  nurse  missed  him,  she  looked  for  him  on 
the  docks,  where,  sitting  on  a string-piece,  he  watched 
the  sailors.  Watts,  when  his  mother’s  back  was 
turned,  tied  down  the  cover  of  the  tea-kettle,  and  se- 
curing the  nozzle,  he  improvised  a steam  boiler  that 
nearly  blew  things  sky  high.  Dr.  Bedell,  of  Phila- 
delphia, when  a child  of  four,  marshalled  into  his 
mother’s  parlor  a string  of  shoeless,  hatless,  dirt}^  and 
hungry  children,  which  he  had  picked  up  in  the  street, 
and  insisted  that  they  should  be  clothed.  Bishop 
Heber  was  distinguished,  when  in  Calcutta,  for  his 
humanity.  He  would  walk  under  the  molten  sky  of 
India  to  speak  to  a dying  Musselman  of  the  better 
land.  When  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age  he  did  the 
same  thing  for  his  mother,  comforting  her  in  her  sor- 
row, and  reading  consolation  out  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures. 

Hadyn  was  pronounced,  when  a boy,  as  a ne’er  to 
do  good.”  He  would  do  no  work,  and  punishment 
and  entreaty  were  alike  of  no  avail.  His  voice  was 
fine,  and  he  spent  his  days  and  nights  in  singing.  A 
wandering  musician  gave  him  one  lesson.  His  en- 


176 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


thusiasm  and  industry  gave  him  the  rest.  Out  of  some 
old  boards  and  odd  pieces  of  wire  he  improvised  an 
instrument,  on  which  he  learned  to  play.  The  vagrant 
minstrel  became  the  delight  of  kings. 

Burkett,  the  learned  blacksmith,  showed  his  love 
of  learning  while  working  at  the  forge.  He  divided 
his  hours  between  toil  and  study.  He  exhausted  the 
books  in  the  town  library,  became  master  of  many 
languages,  and  without  slacking  his  work,  placed  his 
name  among  the  scholars  of  the  age. 

Alexat7DER  Murray  tended  sheep.  He  was  re- 
markable only  for  his  laziness.  Yet  he  had  genius 
enough  to  frame  an  alphabet  out  of  his  catechism  by 
which  he  learned  to  read.  With  bits  of  charcoal  and 
a board  he  learned  to  write.  The  few  pennies  he  earned 
were  spent  on  cheap  histories  and  ballads.  He  com- 
mitted to  memory  the  grammar  loaned  him  for  a few 
days.  He  was  competent  to  teach  after  six  week’s 
schooling. 

Robert  Hall,  the  eloquent  English  preacher,  could 
not  read  when  he  was  eight  years  of  age,  and  was 
pronounced  a dunce.  His  school-book  was  a tomb- 
stone in  the  old  churchyard,  and  his  teacher  his  nurse. 

Dr.  Ritteniiouse  was  a joiner.  His  thirst  for  learn- 
ing was  intense.  He  passed  his  nights  in  study,  and 
committed  to  memory  the  few  books  he  could  lay  his 
hands  on.  He  covered  the  fences,  the  barn-doors,  and 
the  loose  shingles  with  diagrams.  He  mended  the 
clocks  of  the  poor,  and  repaired  the  rude  machinery  of 
the  town.  Alone  and  unaided  he  became  an  accurate 
*■  surveyor,  and  by  indomitable  study,  placed  himself 
among  the  great  mathematicians  of  the  world. 


THE  BENT  OF  A BOY. 


177 


George  Fox  was  a born  Quaker.  He  was  appren- 
ticed to  a shoe-maker,  but  had  no  traits  like  the  lads 
of  his  town.  After  the  work  was  over,  the  boys 
went  shouting  to  their  play;  but  Fox,  Bible  in  hand, 
would  retire  to  a hollow  tree,  and  spend  the  eventide 
in  meditation.  The  age  was  very  wicked,  and  drinking, 
gambling,  and  visiting  the  play-house,  were  the  com- 
mon pastimes  of  the  young.  At  nineteen,  the  Spirit 
came  upon  him.  He  threw  aside  his  lapstone,  and  went 
out  to  found  a sect.  The  costumes  of  the  Friends  indi- 
cated that  they  were  pilgrims  and  strangers.  He  had 
divine  revelations,  and  these  obliged  him  to  travel  from 
place  to  place.  He  was  a man  of  peace,  yet  lived  in 
turbulence  all  his  life.  He  refused  to  remove  his  hat 
in  the  presence  of  kings  or  judges,  and  was  fined  and 
imprisoned  for  contempt. 

The  mother  of  Hans  Axdersox  took  in  washing, 
and  the  lad  gleaned  in  the  field.  He  read,  when  a boy, 
the  “ Arabian  Nights,”  and  the  fascinating  book  tinged 
his  wdiole  life.  He  was  iDut  to  trade  as  a cabinet- 
maker, and  at  the  bench  he  mastered  the  Danish, 
German,  and  other  languages.  He  earned  his  reputa- 
tion by  his  indomitable  industry. 

Falconer  was  a poet  of  the  sea.  He  inherited 
nothing  from  his  father  but  poverty.  The  sire  was  a 
barber,  a wigmaker,  an  idler,  and  a failure  in  every- 
thing. The  boy  was  sent  to  sea  as  a common  sailor 
before  the  mast.  His  poetic  gifts  buoyed  him  up.  His 
gentle  spirit  won  the  regard  of  his  messmates,  who  did 
his  work  while  he  studied  in  the  cockpit. 

It  was  the  ambition  of  the  father  of  Sir  Humphrey 
Davies  that  his  boy  should  earn  his  own  bread,  and 
helj)  support  the  family.  The  lad  was  fond  of  study 
12 


178 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


and  took  every  opportunity  to  indulge  Ms  bent.  The 
father  was  a carver,  but  the  boy  refused  to  accept  the 
trade,  and  was  bound  to  an  apothecary.  He  studied 
chemistry  with  great  success,  and  with  a few  rude, 
rough  tools,  he  worked  out  experiments  that  astonished 
the  world. 

Dodsley,  of  poetic  fame,  was  a footman,  and 
marked  by  his  steadiness  of  conduct,  and  attention  to 
duty.  He  studied  while  others  of  his  class  idled.  He 
wrote  verses  on  his  coach-box,  while  waiting  for  com- 
pany, that  drew  the  attention  of  the  learned.  Some  of 
his  verses  were  thought  worthy  of  being  ascribed  to 
Chesterfield.  The  critics  sought  him  out,  and  gave 
him  a position  which  he  had  earned. 

Caxoya,  the  great  sculptor,  was  a friendless  orphan 
boy.  He  hung  around  the  marble  yards  and  studios, 
and  was  always  chipping  bits  of  marble.  He  astonished 
the  city,  when  a boy,  by  modeling  a lion  in  butter.  A 
nobleman  bought  the  work,  and  took  the  lad  to  his 
palace.  He  scorned  the  luxury  of  his  surroundings, 
and  worked  like  a stone-mason.  A iiurse  was  pre- 
sented to  him,  and  with  it  he  visited  Home.  The 
Venetian  ambassador  took  a fancy  to  the  young 
artist,  and  presented  him  with  a block  of  superior 
marble.  At  once  he  took  rank.  Out  of  that  block  he 
produced  a style  of  sculpture  hitherto  unknown.  His 
freedom,  delicacy  of  touch,  and  elegance  o!  finish,  com- 
manded universal  admiration.  Men  of  genius  admitted 
his  superiority,  and  eminent  artists  begged  his  criticism. 

William  Huttox,  the  great  merchant,  was  a dull 
boy  and  gave  no  jDromise  of  success.  His  friends  used 
to  say  that  his  skull  must  be  broken  to  get  anything 
into  it.  He  was  put  to  work  as  soon  as  he  could  walk, 


THE  BENT  OF  A BOY, 


179 


he  had  no  education,  and  was  brutally  treated.  He 
was  stunted  for  want  of  food,  and  suffered  often  for 
the  necessaries  of  life.  He  broke  from  this  tyranny 
and  ran  away.  He  secured  an  old  trunk,  and  with  a 
hammer,  knife,  a bit  of  wire,  and  a few  nails,  he  con- 
structed a harp  on  which  he  learned  to  play.  With 
this  instrument  he  wandered  about  trying  to  get  a 
living.  He  sold  his  harp  for  a few  shillings  to  keep 
from  starving.  After  his  hunger  was  satisfied,  he 
bought  with  the  balance  a stock  of  cheap  goods.  He 
made  a little  money  and  bought  more.  He  got  the  run 
of  the  country,  knowing  that  market  days  were  red 
letter  days  in  his  calendar.  He  husbanded  his  gains, 
avoided  loose  company,  and  kept  clear  of  the  ale- 
houses. A refuse  library,  owned  by  the  Yicar  of  Bray, 
was  put  up  at  sale.  The  books  brought  but  a few 
pence,  and  found  their  way  into  the  traveling  sack  of 
Hutton.  He  peddled  books  by  day,  and  with  a rush 
candle  mastered  the  library  at  night.  He  became  a 
famed  author,  and  one  of  the  most  successful  mer- 
chants of  his  time. 

Yayrange  was  a famous  iron-worker,  and  the 
wonderful  mechanic  of  the  seventeenth  century.  His 
stepmother  was  a tigress  and  the  boy  suffered  every- 
thing that  cruelty  could  inflict.  He  often  wished  him- 
self dead.  One  day  he  looked  in  at  a window  and  saw 
a man  repairing  a lock.  He  begged  the  man  to  give 
him  work,  promising  to  be  faithful,  and  asking  nothing 
but  food  and  shelter.  In  a month  Yayrange  could 
take  the  most  complicated  lock  to  pieces.  He  was 
delicate  and  skillful  in  handling  firearms.  He  had 
never  seen  a watch.  Taking  home  the  one  that  was 
loaned  him,  he  si^ient  the  night  in  taking  it  to  pieces, 
and  making  himself  master  of  its  mechanism.  He  re- 
solved to  construct  a watch  but  it  would  not  run,  nor 


180 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


could  he  overcome  the  difficulty.  With  the  force  of 
character  peculiar  to  him  he  started  for  Paris,  and  ap- 
prenticed himself  to  a first-class  watch-maker  of  the 
city.  In  a week  he  found  out  the  secret  that  he  sought. 
With  tools  and  materials  suited  to  his  purpose  he  slip- 
ped away  at  night  and  started  for  home.  At  Lorraine, 
* where  he  settled,  he  became  the  most  eminent  mechanic 
of  the  old  world.  His  ornamental  gateway  to  the 
king’ s palace  was  pronounced  one  of  the  wonders  of 
the  world. 

SiE  Thomas  Lawrence,  as  a boy,  was  distinguished 
for  his  marked  musical  ability,  and  was  regarded  as  a 
prodigy  in  painting,  taking  a prize  at  the  age  of  thir- 
teen. He  studied  more  than  he  worked.  A few  hours 
was  all  he  gave  to  his  easel,  the  rest  of  the  day  he 
bowed  down  to  his  books.  He  was  an  intense  worker, 
allowing  nothing  to  leave  his  hand  that  was  not  per- 
fect. 

The  father  of  Gifford  was  a wild,  dissipated 
young  man.  His  mother  was  wronged  out  of  her  little 
property,  and  the  problem  was,  what  to  do  with  the 
boy.  He  was  too  small  for  a farm,  too  feeble  for  a 
store,  and  the  family  were  too  poor  for  a school.  The 
lad  was  sent  to  sea.  He  was  a strange  boy,  and  passed 
his  leisure  lying  on  his  back  and  watching  the  heavens. 
He  was  cruelly  treated,  ran  away  from  sea,  and  became 
a shoe-maker.  He  thirsted  for  knowledge,  and  spent 
all  his  leisure  among  such  books  as  he  could  command. 
Astronomy  interested  him,  and  having  no  paper  and 
no  i7ik,  he  made  his  calculations  on  bits  of  leather  with 
an  awl.  After  years  of  privation  and  toil,  he  became 
eminent  as  a scholar,  a contributor  to  the  Edinburgh 
Review,  and  editor  of  the  Quarterly. 


THE  BENT  OF  A EOT. 


181 


Stephenson,  as  a boy,  earned  a few  pence  attend- 
ing cows  in  a turnip  field.  He  became  a stoker  in  a 
coal-pit.  He  taught  himself  to  read,  and  devoured  the 
lives  of  eminent  men  ; biography  had  a charm  for  him. 
He  was  a genius.  He  could  patch  boots,  repair  old 
clothes,  and  mend  clocks  in  the  cabins  of  the  lowly. 
When  he  found  a piece  of  machinery,  he  took  it  apart 
to  see  how  it  was  made.  While  working  in  the  dark 
and  dirty  mine,  he  resolved  to  build  a locomotive. 
After  years  of  toil  and  failure  his  model  was  complete. 
In  his  joy,  he  shouted  : ‘H’rn  a man  for  life.”  He  be- 
came eminent  as  an  engineer,  kings  consulted  him, 
and  parliaments  sat  at  his  feet. 

Sir  Hichaed  Arkwright  was  the  son  of  a cheap 
barber.  The  sensational  sign  over  the  shop  was : 
‘‘Come  to  the  subterranean  barber;  shave  for  a 
penny.”  The  father  dealt  also  in  wigs  and  human 
hair.  The  boy  detested  the  trade,  and  idled  his  time 
in  constructing  w^hirlagigs  and  curious  models.  The 
incensed  father  broke  into  the  workshop  and  destroyed 
all  the  works.  Hichard  found  a friend  in  a watch- 
maker. Under  the  guise  of  learning  a trade,  the  boy 
was  permitted  to  use  the  tools  of  the  shop,  and  to  spend 
his  time  as  he  pleased.  The  country  w^as  alive  with 
efforts  to  advance  cotton  over  wool.  In  secret,  Ark- 
wright made  a machine  that  contained  the  principle  of 
the  spinning  jenny.  Those  secret  hours  of  toil  laid  the 
foundation  for  Arkwright’s  great  fame. 

Eli  Whitney  was  a boy  on  a farm.  He  had  a fac- 
ulty for  making  things.  At  sixteen  he  set  himself  up 
as  a nailmaker.  He  constructed  all  the  tools  he  used. 
He  never  joined  in  the  juvenile  sports,  but  spent  his 
leisure  hours  in  studying  mechanics.  He  fitted  him- 
self as  a teacher,  and  went  South  and  opened  a school. 


182 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


He  resolved  to  make  a machine  to  clean  out  cotton- 
seed. His  first  invention  was  smashed  by  a mob.  He 
persevered  ; won  over  the  unwilling  populace,  and  made 
a machine  whose  superiority  could  not  be  disputed, 
and  was  hailed  as  the  benefactor  of  the  South. 

Bowditch  was  the  son  of  a cooper.  He  was  put 
into  a ship-chandler’s  shop.  He  was  distinguished 
by  strict  attention  to  duty,  and  by  keeping  a slate  and 
pencil  by  his  side  while  he  worked.  A storm  drove  a 
ship  ashore  at  Salem,  which  had  on  board  a fine  library. 
It  was  affluent  in  the  sciences,  and  had  works  in  twenty 
languages,  ^his  library  was  a boon  to  young  Bow- 
ditch.  He  made  a voyage  to  Europe,  and  used  the 
hold  of  the  vessel  as  a studio.  He  robed  the  vessel 
with  his  problems,  and  studied  day  and  night.  His 
Practical  Navigation  is  known  the  world  over. 


LXIX. 

NELSON. 

was  no  accident  that  gave  Nelson  the  com- 
mand of  the  British  fleet,  a title,  and  a 
statue  at  Trafalgar  Square.  He  gave  the 
key  note  of  his  own  character  as  he  said : 
‘‘  When  I don’t  know  whether  to  fight  or  not,  I always 
fight.”  He  was  distinguished  for  personal  attention 
to  things  on  his  ship,  and  by  attention  to  most  minute 
matters.  His  last  order  showed  this.  He  was  borne 
from  the  deck  to  the  cockpit  to  die  after  his  fatal 


NELSON, 


183 


wound.  He  saw  a rope  out  of  place,  and  feebly  gave 
the  command:  ‘‘Tighten  that  tiller  rope.”  His  ad- 
vance in  the  navy  was  very  slow.  He  was  not  favored 
— had  no  patron  to  push  him  ; while  in  the  government 
he  had  many  enemies.  He  was  shamefully  treated. 
His  gallantry  and  bravery  gained  the  battle  of  Calvi. 
He  lost  an  eye  and  was  otherwise  wounded.  Though 
his  gallantry  saved  the  fleet,  his  name  was  not  men- 
tioned in  the  Gazette,  and  was  omitted  among  the 
wounded.  Hurt  by  the  shabby  treatment,  and  urged 
by  the  presence  of  heroism,  I^elson  is  reported  to  have 
said  : “Never  care  ! I will  one  day  have  a Gazette  of 
my  own.”  He  was  allowed  to  retire  from  the  navy, 
there  being  no  place  for  him,  and  he  vrent  to  farming. 
A message  from  the  government  found  him  among  the 
plows.  A stray  bullet  had  killed  a post  captain,  and 
Nelson  was  in  the  succession.  As  he  started  from  the 
plow  toward  the  quarter-deck,  he  exclaimed  : “Now 
for  the  Gazette  or  Westminster  Abbey.”  Off  duty, 
Nelson  seemed  very  little  like  a hero.  He  was  under- 
sized, had  a pale,  interesting  face,  wore  a mournful, 
placid  look,  and  his  speech  was  mild  and  gentle.  He 
never  passed  a sailor  in  the  streets  without  speaking 
to  him,  and  always  had  a small  gift  for  any  one  that 
had  been  under  his  command. 


184 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


LXX. 

STEWART’S  BUSINESS  TRAITS. 

R.  STEWART  came  to  America  in  the  latter 
part  of  1818.  His  parents  had  preceded 
him  twelve  years  before.  His  father  died 
and  left  his  mother  a little  money.  She  set 
up  a second-hand  furniture  store  on  Chatham  street, 
near  what  was  then  known  as  the  Jews’  burial-ground. 
The  locality  is  still  devoted  to  the  trade  in  second-hand 
goods.  There  was  a w^ell-known  schoolmaster  in  that 
locality,  belonging  to  the  Society  of  Friends,  known 
as  Isaac  F.  Bragg.  One  night  Mary  Stewart  ran  over 
to  Mr.  Bragg’s  house  with  the  information  that  her 
brother  Alexander  had  just  arrived,  and  begged  Mr. 
Bragg  to  give  him  the  position  of  assistant  teacher  in 
his  school.  Alexander  came  over  for  examination. 
He  knew  no  Greek,  no  Latin,  no  French.  He  passed 
a fair  examination  in  arithmetic,  writing,  the  elements 
of  grammar,  and  spelling.  Ho  was  emjjloyed  as  usher 
on  a salary  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  a j^ear. 
So  the  great  merchant  started  in  this  city.  The  story 
of  his  classical  studies  goes  to  the  wall  under  the  hand 
of  Mr.  Bragg  himself. 

Stewart  was  intended  for  the  Episcopal  ministry. 
An  accident  made  him  a trader.  He  was  a school- 
teacher, and  was  induced  to  visit  Ireland  to  claim  a 
small  inheritance  that  fell  to  him.  A shrewd  Scotch- 
man advised  him  to  invest  his  little  fortune  in  dry- 
goods,  and  sell  them  in  New  York.  He  traded  in  a 
small  way  in  a little  store  on  Broadway  opposite  to 
his  down- town  palace.  I have  heard  Stewart  describe 
his  little  shanty  in  which  he  began  to  trade.  Besides 


STEWART^S  BUSINESS  TRAITS. 


185 


needles,  tapes,  and  nick-nacks,  he  had  a higher  class 
of  goods,  and  commanded  a higher  custom  than  his 
neighbors.  The  old  Knickerbockers  traded  with 
him,  because  the  Stewarts  were  ‘‘decent  industrious 
people.” 

At  the  start,  Stewart  introduced  a style  of  business 
not  common  in  New  York.  Near  Stewart’ s little  shanty 
stood  the  store  of  the  lordly  Kickers,  the  great  mer- 
chants of  the  day.  When  Stewart’s  stock  was  low,  he 
sold  everything  off  at  cost.  With  the  money  he  filled 
up  his  store  with  goods  in  new  style.  The  Kickers 
warned  Stewart  that  that  stjde  would  ruin  him.  He 
thought  otherwise,  and  as  his  wont  was,  followed  his 
own  counsel.  Stewart  was  a close,  sharp  buyer,  and 
the  traders  soon  found  out  where  fresh  goods  could  be 
had  at  a low  price.  The  result  was  Stewart  Avent  up, 
and  the  Kickers  went  down. 

Stewart  was  an  autocrat  in  trade,  and  a hard  master. 
His  rules  were  as  rigid  as  those  in  the  Penitentiary. 
Clerks  were  fined  for  everything.  If  they  were  late. 
If  they  went  out.  If  they  misdirected  a bundle,  mis- 
called a name,  or  mistook  a number.  If  they  sat  in 
the  store,  or  over-stayed  the  lunch  hour.  Sometimes 
a month’s  wages  were  spent  in  fines.  Stewart  had 
partners  in  profits  ; but  none  in  management.  He  could 
sell  what  he  pleased,  and  when  he  pleased,  and  put  the 
key  in  his  pocket  when  he  chose.  He  ran  his  store  by 
the  month,  putting  money  in  the  bank  in  advance  to 
meet  all  the  expenses.  He  controlled  the  market  in 
many  things,  and  compelled  the  universal  America  to 
pay  him  tribute.  Though  a hard  trader,  ho  was  emi- 
nently fair.  Hemas  Barnes  made  a contract  for  a 
quantity  of  cloth,  which  was  made  in  England.  The 
goods  were  sent  direct  to  Mr.  Barnes,  but  they  were 
inferior  to  the  samples,  and  for  tlie  purposes  intended 
were  useless.  The  salesman  contended  that  the  goods 


186 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


were  those  ordered,  and  an  appeal  was  taken  to  Mr. 
Stewart.  The  merchant  said:  ‘‘Show  me  the  goods 
and  the  sample.”  Turning  to  the  salesman,  he  said  : 
“ This  is  not  the  quality  of  cloth  you  agreed  to  fur- 
nish. Mr.  Barnes,  are  these  goods  worth  anything  to 
you?”  “JSTo,  sir.”  “Then  leave  them,  I will  send 
your  order  to-day,  and  all  loss  will  be  made  up  to 
you.” 

Strict  as  Stewart’s  rules  were,  the  list  of  applica- 
tions for  service  in  his  store  was  always  large.  It  was 
a good  start  for  a young  man  to  get  a place  under 
Stewart.  If  he  met  the  rugged  requirements  of  the 
great  autocrat,  and  continued  a year,  he  would  go  any- 
where. Good  salesmen  would  work  for  their  board,  or 
a mere  nominal  price,  simply  to  say,  they  had  been  to 
Stewart’s.  Civility  was  a winning  card.  One  day, 
Stewart  said : “ I can  command  the  wholesale  trade,  for 
I can  make  it  an  object  for  heavy  buyers  to  deal  with 
me,  but  people  who  buy  pins,  needls,  thread  and  but- 
tons, must  be  catered  to,  and  out  of  these  I make  my 
profit.  A salesman  is  valuable  to  me,  not  when  he  dis- 
poses of  goods  through  a misrepresentation,  but  when 
he  states  fairly  what  my  goods  are,  and  what  are  the 
prices.  Exaggeration,  misrepresentation,  and  having 
two  prices  for  articles,  are  as  damaging  to  merchants, 
as  it  is  wrong  in  principle.” 

I saw  Mr.  Stewart  at  Garden  City  a short  time  be- 
fore his  last  sickness.  He  was  one  of  the  best  pre- 
served men  I ever  saw.  He  did  not  look  a day  over 
fifty.  His  form  was  lithe  and.  genteel — his  clothes 
were  cut  in  fashionable  style — his  manners  were  quiet 
and  liis  tones  gentle.  At  that  moment  he  was  control- 
ling two  of  the  heaviest  warehouses  in  the  world.  He 
was  in  the  midst  of  his  Garden  City  property,  a terri- 
tory eight  miles  long  and  four  wide.  He  was  expend- 
ing on  this  property  millions.  Railroads  were  grid- 


JAY  GOULD'S  BOYHOOD. 


187 


ironing  the  estate,  sewerages  opening,  roadways  being 
n>aoadainized,  costly  dwellings  by  the  score  going  up, 
on  all  which  Stewart  looked  with  the  air  of  a man 
wholly  at  leisure.  He  lived  in  the  simplest  style.  At 
Long  Branch  he  was  offered  pickles  and  salad  ; he  de- 
clined, saying:  “ My  appetite  is  good  ; I reserve  such 
stimulants  until  I’m  an  old  man.” 


LXXL 

JAY  GOULD’S  BOYHOOD. 

Y common  consent  Jay  Gould  is  the  boldest 
and  most  successful  operator  on  the  street. 
He  has  fought  his  way  up,  with  an  enter- 
prise and  desjjeration  that  always  triumphs. 
As  his  manhood  is,  so  was  his  boyhood.  He  was  born 
in  the  county  of  Delaware,  in  the  township  of  Box- 
bury.  The  modest  cottage  in  which  he  lived,  the 
school  where  he  studied,  the  store  in  which  he  worked, 
still  remain.  He  received  a good  education  at  the 
hand  of  his  father,  who  was  a schoolmaster.  One  of 
Jay’s  boyish  freaks  was  to  j)redict  his  future  wealth, 
and  to  map  out  methods  of  spending  it.  He  was  a 
sturdy  resolute,  industrious  boy,  and  could  turn  his 
hand  to  anything.  He  was  a self-made  surveyor.  He 
put  his  few  rude  tools  into  a wheelbarrow,  and 
trundled  it  before  him  from  point  to  point.  One  of 
the  best  maps  of  Delaware  county  has  on  the  corner, 
— Surveyed  by  Jay  Gould.” 


188 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Gould  had  a knack  for  trading,  and  was  very  sharp 
as  a cattle-dealer.  In  one  of  his  tramps  he  got  a lesson 
that  lasted  him  all  his  life.  A farmer  had  a herd  of 
cattle,  and  Jay  went  out  to  look  at  it.  In  the  midst 
of  the  bartering  a woman  apx)eared,  who  had  a little 
talk  with  the  farmer.  Gould  caught  a word  now  and 
then:  ‘‘Now  don’t,  husband,  I beg  of  you  not  to; 
if  you  have  any  regard  for  me,  don’ t.  I shall  die  if 
you  do.”  “What’s  the  matter  with  that  woman?” 
said  Gould.  “Oh  nothing, — my  wife  has  a favorite 
cow, — she  is  called  ‘ Old  Pailful,’  and  the  woman  is 
afraid  I’m  going  to  sell  her.”  The  woman  hung  round, 
and  of  course  Gould  demanded  that  “Old  Pailful” 
should  be  brought  out.  She  was  a picture,  and  the 
young  trader  said  that  that  cow  must  go  with  the  lot 
if  he  made  the  purchase.  The  cattle  were  driven  home, 
and  the  father  sent  Jay  out  to  see  what  kind  of  a 
milker  “Old  Pailful”  was.  He  had  scarcely  seated 
himself,  before  the  cow  threw  him,  pail,  and  stool,  sky- 
high,  she  tore  around  the  i^asture,  leaped  the  fence, 
and  started  for  home.  Ever  after  Gould  never  bought 
anything  that  a woman  wanted  to  keep. 

Young  Gould  tried  his  hand  at  country  store  keep- 
ing. He  chafed  under  the  hum-drum  style  of  country 
trade.  He  was  very  smart,  very  cajjable,  and  soon  had 
a chance  to  introduce  a few  improvements.  The  trader 
started  on  a visit  to  New  Jersey  and  left  his  young 
clerk  in  charge.  The  out-going  wagon  was  hardly  out 
of  sight  before  Gould  commenced  operations.  He  pro- 
posed to  sell  the  store  out  and  lay  in  a fresh  stock  of 
goods.  He  marked  everything  down  ; covered  the 
country  with  show-bills,  promising  great  bargains  for  a 
few  days.  He  stirred  the  country,  and  the  town  looked 
like  a muster-day.  The  store  was  crowded  from  dawn 
till  dark.  When  the  trader  came  home  he  found  his 
year’s  stock  sold,  the  store  emjDty,  and  his  clerk  count- 


JAY  GO  VLB'S  B 0 YHO  OD. 


189 


ing  U13  the  gains.  He  was  too  smart  for  the  position, 
and  was  obliged  to  leave. 

Zadoc  Pratt  was  the  great  man  of  the  region,  and 
Gould  could  scarcely  have  overlooked  him  if  he  would. 
In  his  great  tannery  Gould  seemed  to  have  found  a field 
equal  to  his  ability.  Jay  was  able  as  a clerk,  and  in- 
valuable as  a draughtsman.  Pratt  was  building,  en- 
larging and  altering  continually,  and  the  skill  of  the 
young  draughtsman  found  constant  employment.  The 
counting-room  was  covered  with  papers,  siiecifications 
and  plans.  Two  such  sharp  men  could  not  very  well 
occupy  the  same  position,  and  principal  and  subordi- 
nate had  a falling  out.  Gould  seized  all  the  drawings 
and  plans,  and  removed  them.  Pratt  demanded  them, 
and  proposed  to  take  them  by  force.  Gould  organized 
a band  of  stout,  hardy  yeomanry  to  defend  his  rights. 
He  showed  his  pluck  and  tact  then,  as  he  did  years  after- 
wards in  his  Erie  fights.  Gould  won,  as  any  man  will 
win,  who  has  right  on  his  side  and  courage  to  defend  it. 

No  two  men  were  ever  less  alike  than  Jay  Gould 
and  Jim  Fisk.  Yet  no  two  men  were  ever  better  fitted 
for  each  other.  Gould  was  cool,  cautious,  and  wily. 
Fisk,  daring  and  audacious.  Gould  had  brains  to 
organize.  Fiske  had  executive  force.  Fisk  told  me 
that  he  controlled  more  gold  on  “Black  Friday”  than 
the  Hothschilds  ever  held,  and  if  the  president  had 
kept  out  of  the  fight,  he  would  have  made  thirty  mil- 
lions out  of  the  “Black  Friday”  operations.  Gould 
worked  secretly,  like  a mole  out  of  sight.  Fisk  wrote 
his  transactions  on  his  frontlet.  Gould  respected  out- 
ward morality  ; Fisk  took  no  pains  to  show  his  disre- 
gard for  the  decencies  and  conventionalities  of  life. 
Gould  works  through  agencies,  and  covers  his  own 
tracks.  His  house,  where  he  transacts  his  business,  is 
fitted  up  like  a war  department.  Wires  run  to  every 
part  of  the  city.  Sitting  at  his  table,  he  can  talk  to 


190 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


his  brokers  on  the  street,  and  advise  speculators  in  a 
secret  conclave.  His  bell  is  on  the  jump  from  mornicg 
till  night.  A dozen  persons  sit  in  his  x^arlors  at  a time 
waiting  for  an  interview.  One  rule  is  meted  out  to  ail 
who  have  not  a jorevious  appointment.  In  answer  to  a 
card,  the  messenger  quietly  whispers,  ^‘Mr.  Gould  will 
see  you  in  one  minute.”  His  great  business  is  in  his 
own  hands.  He  trusts  to  his  own  judgment,  and  keeps 
his  own  counsel.  His  personal  presence  is  not  impos- 
ing. He  is  under-sized,  and  his  head  looks  as  if  he 
must  have  had  the  ‘‘rickets”  when  a boy.  His  coun- 
tenance is  swarthy,  and  his  features  are  decidedly 
Jewish.  Brokers  say  that  he  keeps  twenty  millions  on 
deposit  to  meet  any  little  exigency  that  may  arise. 
He  understands  the  power  of  the  press,  owns  an  editor 
or  two,  and  runs  one  of  the  great  newspapers  of  the 
day.  He  is  keen,  far-sighted  and  audacious. 


LXXII. 

THEOLOGY  AS  A TRADE. 

ISr  select  preaching  as  a business,  as  they 
select  law  or  surgery.  It  takes  more  years 
to  train  a minister  than  it  does  to  train  a 
man  for  any  other  profession.  It  takes  as 
much  talent  to  run  a church  as  it  does  to  run  a country 
st{)re ; yet  a country  store-keeper  is  a business  man, 
cud  a minister  is  not.  The  study  that  fits  a man  to 
])reach  usually  unfits  him  for  anything  else.  Yet  men 
select  Theology  as  a trade,  gather  families  upon  it,  and 


THEOLOGY  AS  A TRADE. 


191 


devote  their  years  to  its  work.  The  ministry  has  ad- 
vantages and  disadvantages  peculiar  to  itself  as  a 
calling.  A minister  must  live  up  to  the  style  of  the 
lawyer,  merchant,  and  doctor  without  a tithe  of  their 
revenue.  He  must  keep  a hotel  where  strangers,  agents, 
and  beggars  in  orders  must  find  quarters.  He  must  send 
his  sons  to  college,  and  his  daughters  must  be  accom- 
plished in  all  the  refinements  that  belong  to  a mil- 
lionaire. O tiler  professions  require  years  before  a 
paying  practice  is  secured.  A minister’ s best  salary  is 
when  he  is  young.  Other  men  pass  years  in  working 
themselves  up  into  a social  position  ; the  minister  takes 
his  with  a bound.  He  may  have  been  a wood-chopper, 
and  his  father  a blacksmith,  yet  with  his  first  sermon 
he  takes  rank  with  the  judge,  store-keeper,  and  the 
aristocrat.  His  wife  may  have  been  a dairy-maid,  a 
milliner,  or  a house-servant ; yet  the  elite  and  the 
titled  stand  back  and  let  her  jiass,  as  she  out-ranks 
them  all. 

Like  all  business,  preaching  is  sometimes  a failure 
and  sometimes  a success.  Men  often  select  the  sacred 
calling,  not  because  they  are  fitted  for  it,  but  because 
their  father  was  in  it.  But  talents,  like  grace,  are  not 
hereditary.  A well-known  family,  made  up  of  a dozen 
children,  put  every  boy  into  the  ministry.  The  boys 
were  stout  muscular  fellows  and  would  have  been  at  a 
premium  as  stone-masons  or  longshoremen.  With 
one  or  two  excei)tions,  the  batch  was  very  ordinary. 
Spurgeon  refused  to  go  to  college  because  it  would 
spoil  him  as  a preacher.  In  English  families  where 
there  is  a living  the  stupidest  boy  of  the  family,  fit  for 
nothing  else,  is  usually  assigned  to  it. 

Should  a cadet  at  West  Point  be  educated  for  a 
soldier  as  men  are  educated  for  the  ministry,  he  would 


192 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


be  tbrown  over.  Students  in  theology  learn  a great 
deal ; they  know  theology,  languages,  and  polite  litera- 
ture. But  they  are  not  taught  to  preach.  The  man 
who  teaches  them  elocution  could  not  keep  an  audi; 
ence  awake  ten  minutes.  The  man  w^ho  instructs  them 
in  pastoral  work  doesn’t  attend  live  funerals  in  live 
years.  Suppose  a cadet  to  graduate  who  ranks  num- 
ber one  in  moral  philosophy,  stands  equally  high  in 
chemistry,  but  can’t  draw  a sword,  neither  can  he  ride, 
load,  or  lire.  The  armorer  at  Springfield  would  lose 
his  head,  if  he  burnished  and  mounted  a' costly  sword 
without  trying  its  edge.  Who  would  send  his  boy  to 
an  engineer  who  never  ran  a mile  of  chain  ; or  put  him 
to  merchandise  with  a merchant  who  failed  annually  ; 
or  put  him  to  study  navigation  with  a captain  who 
always  ran  his  ship  ashore  ; or  put  him  under  a soldier 
who  never  fought  a battle? 


The  ministry  is  a sad  trade  for  men  who  have  no 
heart  in  it.  Men  who  were  born  horse- jockeys,  politi- 
cians, speculators,  and  jesters,  seldom  become  a suc- 
cess in  the  sacred  office.  Sterne  would  have  made  a first- 
rate  pot-house  politician.  Swift  would  have  ranked 
high  as'  a bar-room  joker.  Churchhill  should  have 
been  poet  laureate  to  alow  theater.  A coarse  jest  cost 
Sydney  Smith  a mitre.  His  brother,  a heavy,  stupid 
man,  out-ranked  him,  and  the  merry  preacher  used  to 
say  : “My  brother  rose  by  his  gravity,  and  I sank  by 
my  levity.” 

There  are  no  better  business  men  than  the  American 
clergy.  They  broke  down  all  opposition,  and  led  the 
Puritans  from  Holland  to  Plymouth  Pock.  They 
founded  Harvard  College,  and  at  Saybrook  furnished 
the  nucleus  for  Yale  College.  President  Edwards 
was  an  office-holder  under  the  Massachusetts  govern- 


THEOLOGY  A8  A TRADE. 


193 


ment.  Dr.  Dwight  gave  Connecticut  her  constitution. 
The  boldest  man  in  the  Continental  Congress,  the  one 
the  most  loud-mouthed  for  independence,  was  the 
preachei*  John  Witherspoon.  About  fifty  years  the 
American  Board  was  conducted  by  the  clergy,  and  the 
Methodist  Book  Concern,  that  runs  the  denomination, 
was  founded  by  ministers,  and  by  them  exclusively 
controlled  for  nearly  a hundred  years. 

The  ministry  is  the  only  trade  in  which  it  is  a crime 
to  GROW  OLD.  The  old  lawyer  blooms  into  a judge  ; 
the  successful  merchant  becomes  a capitalist ; and  the 
old  doctor  is  of  priceless  value.  When  a minister  fails 
to  attract,  and  can’t  pay  church  debts,  or  sell  costly 
pews,  he  is  turned  out,  “when  the  men  who  knew 
not  Joseph”  are  in  power.  The  large  cities  are  full 
of  once  popular  and  attractive  ministers  without  a 
charge, — who  lived  up  to  their  income, — saved  nothing, 
— and  have  been  turned  out  to  take  care  of  themselves 
by  people  to  whom  they  gave  the  freshness  of  their 
youth  and  the  strength  of  their  manhood.  These 
persons  live  from  hand  to  mouth, — sell  books, — get  a 
little  insurance, — traffic  in  a small  way,  earn  a little 
brokerage,  and  live  a dog’s  life  with  hard  work  and 
poor  pay. 

Brooklyn  had  the  Prince  of  Preachers, — eccen- 
tric, but  poi3ular.  Men  came  from  the  four  quarters 
of  the  country  to  hear  him.  He  had  a commanding 
church,  had  a beautiful  house,  in  beautiful  grounds, 
kept  his  carriage,  and  maintained  style.  To-day  he 
would  be  in  actual  want,  but  for  a little  annuity  settled 
on  him  by  his  old  charge.  A Connecticut  pastor,  who 
was  once  one  of  the  most  influential  men  in  the  nation, 
and  held  his  pastorate  forty  years,  was  broken-hearted 
when  his  people  demanded  a fresher  man.  He  said  if 
13 


194 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


he  could  begin  life  over  again,  he  would  not  be  a 
Puritan  minister. 

The  Apollos  of  the  American  pulpit  was  settled  in 
Albany.  He  was  a model  pastor  of  the  land.  During 
his  long  settlement  in  Albany,  he  received,  on  an 
average,  a call  a year,  from  the  most  important 
churches  in  the  country.  Every  city  bid  for  him.  He 
would  grow  old.  There  were  whispers  about  a fresher 
man.  His  life-long  services  were  forgotten.  He  was 
dismissed,  and  would  have  been  dismissed  without  a 
settlement  if  two  prominent  men  had  not  had  a quar- 
rel. Small  as  the  annuity  was,  it  was  opposed  on  the 
ground  that  the  minister  had  fifty  thousand  dollars’ 
worth  of  manuscripts  that  he  ought  to  sell.  “ Sell  my 
autographs?”  said  the  indignant  divine.  ‘‘I’d  as  soon 
sell  my  children.” 

The  founder  of  a well-known  ministerial  Family 
was  influential  above  his  peers.  He  was  called  here, 
called  there,  and  always  to  an  eminent  position.  He 
had  a large  salary,  but  saved  nothing.  Age  came  upon 
him,  and  found  him  without  a support.  A few  Boston 
friends  kept  him  from  want  till  the  close  of  his  life. 

A Gentleman  called  on  me  one  day  to  make 
known  what  he  regarded  as  a special  hardship.  He 
was  getting  a small  salary  as  a missionary,  often  was 
in  a strait  for  bread.  The  church  where  he  worshipped 
had  raised  his  pew  rent  and  he  must  leave.  Yet  I had 
known  that  man  as  one  of  the  great  popular  ministers 
of  Boston  ; his  salary  was  large,  his  style  of  living  ele- 
gant, his  position  enviable.  Alienations  arose  ; they 
culminated  in  his  dismissal.  An  associate  of  his,  set- 
tled near  him,  was  a sort  of  Pope.  He  was  a man  of 
marked  prejudice  and  obstinacy.  He  would  use  pub- 
lic occasions  to  make  known  his  prejudice,  and  to 


JEREMIAH  CURTIS  AND  SOOTHING  SYRUP.  195 


strike  a brother  who  had  no  means  of  defending  him- 
self. His  tnrn  came  at  last.  He  went  abroad  for  his 
health.  A cruel  letter  met  him  at  the  Gate  of  Naples, 
asking  his  resignation,  as  he  stood  in  the  way  a settle- 
ment which  the  parish  wished  to  make. 

Men  fail  in  business  as  theologians,  as  they  fail  in 
other  trades.  Some  get  a position  above  their  ability. 
Some  get  their  heads  turned,  and  become  vain.  Some 
grow  loose  in  doctrine  as  they  grow  in  years.  Some 
give  their  strength  to  merchandise,  authorship,  lectur- 
ing and  stock-raising.  Some,  who  have  real  talent,  are 
well  described  by  the  poet : — 

“ His  talk  is  like  a stream  that  runs 

With  rapid  change  from  rocks  to  roses ; 

It  skipped  from  politics  to  puns, 

It  passed  from  Mahomet  to  Moses ; 

Beginning  with  the  laws  that  keep 
The  planets  in  their  radiant  courses, 

And  ended  with  some  precept  deep 

For  skinning  eels  and  shoeing  horses.’’  \ 


LXXIII. 

JEREMIAH  CURTIS  AND  SOOTHING  SYRUP. 


HIS  gentleman  has  made  a fortune  out  of 
soothing  syrup.  By  extraordinary  advertis- 
ing, an  immense  sale  has  been  created  for 
the  article.  Mr.  Curtis  is  a man  of  com- 
manding stature,  a courtliness  of  the  old  school,  and 
dispenses  an  elegant  hospitality.  He  worked  his  way 
up  in  his  New  England  home,  to  the  position  of  justice 


193 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


of  the  peace,  a member  of  the  legislature,  and  could,  if 
he  wished,  have  been  governor  of  the  State. 

Mr.  Curtis  was  brought  up  in  Maine,  where  a boy  is 
expected  to  do  a man’ s work.  Idleness  was  a crime, 
and  a lad  that  would  not  dig,  mow,  chop,  hoe,  was  born 
for  a poor-house  or  the  jail.  Young  Curtis  despised 
these  social  maxims,  and  neither  the  poor-house  nor  the 
jail  had  any  terrors  for  him.  A trade  he  wouldn’ t learn. 
He  detested  farming,  and  menial  work  had  no  charms 
for  him.  He  was  a vagrant,  but  no  idler.  He  could 
hunt  and  lish  with  the  best,  snare  birds,  trap  fowls, 
and  strip  the  otter  of  its  skin.  His  traps,  self-made, 
were  ingenious,  and  the  tools  he  constructed  for  his 
pastimes  v/ere  the  envy  of  the  boys  in  the  town.  His 
industrious  neighbors  thought  it  a sin  and  a shame 
that  a boy  that  could  hammer  out  on  an  anvil  such 
curious  devices  wouldn’t  work.  It  was  sinful  that 
such  parts  should  be  thrown  away.  At  the  birth  of 
Jeremiah,  the  genius  of  speculation  must  have  pre- 
sided. Trading  was  as  natural  to  him  as  whittling  to 
a Yankee.  He  made  a business  of  his  sports.  He  drove 
a thriving  trade  in  furs,  and  bartered  the  animals  he 
caught  and  the  birds  he  snared.  He  opened  a mart  for 
the  farmers  ; brought  their  produce  in  bulk  ; took  the 
ashes  of  the  country  and  opened  a soap  factory  ; opened 
a cooperage  and  encouraged  men  to  cut  hoops  and 
staves  ; and  traded  in  hides,  horns,  hoofs  and  beef. 
He  was  a public  benefactor.  He  was  square  as  a die, 
and  true  as  a bevel.  The  disasters  of  1837  overtook 
him,  and  swept  everything  away.  His  wife,  a heroic 
woman,  found  him  one  morning  walking  the  floor,  ap- 
parently in  great  distress.  “ What  is  the  matter,  Jere- 
miah f’  “I  dare  not  tell  you;  it  will  kill  you.” 
“ Have  you  murdered  anybody?”  “No.”  “Any- 
thing short  of  that  won’t  kill  me.”  “ I’ve  lost  all  my 
money  ; I must  fail.”  “ Is  that  all  ? Why  don’t  you 


JEREMIAH  CURTIS  AND  SOOTHING  STRUP.  197 


suspend  ? You  can  pay  when  you  are  able  ; nobody  can 
prevent  you  doing  that.” 

Out  of  the  wreck  one  vessel  was  left.  This  was  des- 
tined for  the  West  Indies.  Mr.  Curtis  sailed  in  her  as 
supercargo.  But  the  luck  was  against  him.  Yellow 
Jack  boarded  the  vessel,  and  the  captain  and  all  the 
hands  were  taken  down.  The  captain  was  on  shore, 
and  the  doctor  said  he  would  die  if  he  was  moved.  ‘‘  He 
will  die  if  he  is  not  moved,”  said  Mr.  Curtis.  ‘‘If 
he  dies  at  all,  he  shall  die  on  board  my  vessel,  and  ITl 
take  him  or  his  body  home.  Mr.  Curtis  was  captain, 
mate,  crew  and  nurse,  and  when  the  vessel  reached 
Calais,  all  on  board  were  convalescent.  Not  disheart- 
ened, Mr.  Curtis  loaded  his  vessel  and  proposed  to 
trade  along  shore.  A fleet  anchored  at  the  mouth  of 
one  of  the  rivers  in  a gale.  Curtis  believed  that  the 
river  would  freeze  up  before  morning.  Against  the 
protest  of  the  captain,  and  in  the  teeth  of  the  gale, 
with  the  risk  of  an  overturn,  the  anchor  was  raised, 
and  the  vessel  went  up  to  port.  The  next  morning 
everything  was  frozen  fast.  The  daring  owner  had 
everything  to  himself,  and  sold  his  cargo  of  jDrovisions 
at  a high  price. 

Success  came  at  last,  and  from  an  unexpected  quar- 
ter. Mr.  Curtis  bought  out  a small  drug  store  in  Maine. 
Among  the  stock  in  trade  was  a receipt  for  soothing 
syrup,  which  bore  the  name  of  an  old  and  honored 
nurse.  The  remedy  was  popular  and  in  constant  de- 
mand. Mr.  Curtis  thought  he  saw  a fortune  in  that  lit- 
tle piece  of  paper,  and  it  was  a small  thing  to  found  a 
fortune  upon.  But  men  have  become  millionaires  on 
articles  quite  as  small  as  the  soothing  syrup  receipt. 
A handful  of  tobacco,  a pile  of  hoofs  and  horns,  a pan- 
full of  candy,  a bag  full  of  rags  out  of  an  ash  barrel, 
a bundle  of  furs,  and  a bunch  of  kindling-wood,  have 
made  men  both  rich  and  famous. 


198 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Mr.  Curtis  resolved  to  give  his  medicine  a national 
reputation.  He  removed  the  manufactory  to  New 
York.  He  used  the  press  in  a manner  that  was  as- 
tounding. He  made  the  virtues  of  the  medicine  known 
in  every  kingdom  under  heaven.  The  demand  was 
enormous  from  all  parts  of  the  world.  Especial  agen- 
cies for  its  sale  were  opened  in  London,  Paris,  Berlin, 
Australia,  Japan,  China,  and  in  the  Islands  of  the  Sea. 
Fortunes  have  been  spent  to  supplant  the  soothing 
syrup.  Combinations  have  been  formed  to  drive  it 
from  the  trade.  Druggists,  chemists,  and  doctors  con- 
spired to  detect  the  secret  of  its  excellence,  or  furnish 
a substitute.  The  medicine  leads  the  market  to-day, 
as  it  has  for  years ; it  meets  a great  public  v/ant ; is 
simple,  economical  and  effective.  Mr.  Curtis  is  one  of 
the  best  business  men  of  the  age.  He  needed  a few 
thousand  dollars  at  one  time  to  meet  an  exigency.  Most 
men  would  have  thrown  the  medicine  in  the  market  at 
a reduced  price.  He  kept  his»  embarrassment  to  him- 
self ; filled  the  land  with  circulars,  announcing  that  on 
a given  day  the  price  of  the  medicine  would  be  raised. 
The  plan  was  successful.  Orders  came  rushing  in  from 
every  quarter.  He  had  all  the  money  he  wanted,  yet 
he  raised  the  price  as  he  said  he  would. 


RICH,  THE  OYSTERMAN. 


199 


LXXIY. 

RICH,  THE  OYSTERMATsr. 

SAAC  RICH  gave  away  in  his  lifetime  over 
half  a million.  He  left  a million  and  a half 
to  be  distributed  after  he  died.  He  was  a 
Cape  Cod  boy,  and  was  trained  to  catching 
fish  and  lobsters.  A stranger  in  Boston,  he  commenced 
business  as  a lad  by  selling  oysters.  With  a canvas 
bag  slung  over  his  back  he  tramped  through  the  streets 
of  the  town,  shouting  ‘‘Oys ! buy  any  oys  !”  It  was 
the  days  of  Boston  simplicity,  when  everybody  lived 
at  the  North  End.  A maid  came  to  the  door  with  a 
candle  and  a can.  The  oysterman  followed  the  maid 
into  the  kitchen,  opened  the  03^sters,  threw  the  shells 
into  the  fire,  and  passed  out  on  his  way.  This  was 
young  Rich’s  business  for  years.  His  work  was  hard, 
his  pay  light,  his  gains  slow  ; but  he  had  emplojmient, 
earned  his  bread,  saved  a little  money,  and  he  was 
satisfied.  He  was  industrious,  honest,  and  economical. 
By  and  by  he  rose  to  the  dignity  of  a handcart,  and 
added  fish  to  his  stock  in  trade. 

He  worked  his  way  to  a stall  in  Faneuil  Market. 
His  peculiar  style  of  business  here  came  out.  He  was 
always  on  hand  ; no  customers  came  too  early,  none 
too  late.  His  stock  was  complete  and  fresh.  He  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  hotel  men.  If  fish  was  wanted 
as  a specialty,  or  wanted  at  an  unusual  hour.  Rich  was 
called  for.  Boyden,  then  of  the  Tremont,  took  a lik- 
ing to  the  young  fishman,  and  said  to  him  one  day, 
‘‘  Why  don’t  you  keep  salmon?”  “I’m  too  poor.” 

‘ ‘ What  has  poverty  to  do  with  salmon  ?”  “ It  has  every- 
thing to  do  with  it.  Salmon  is  sold  by  the  cargo,  and 


200 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


the  heavy  buyers  charge  us  so  much  that  we  can’ t make 
anything.”  ‘‘‘How  much  money  will  buy  a cargo?” 
“ Six  hundred  dollars.”  “ Secure  the  next  cargo  that 
comes  in,  and  I’ll  loan  you  the  cash.”  Before  dawn 
young  Rich  was  on  the  dock.  He  saw  a vessel  coming 
up,  jumped  on  deck,  and  bought  the  cargo  before  she 
was  made  fast.  The  heavy  buyers  loitered  on  their 
way.  They  were  astonished  to  know  that  the  cargo 
was  sold  and  largely  disposed  of.  Rich  cornered  the 
market,  got  his  own  price  for  the  fish,  and  made 
money  enough  by  that  lucky  venture  to  furnish  his 
own  capital.  Rich  turned  his  hand  to  nearly  every- 
thing,— bought  a vessel,  speculated  in  flour,  wheat, 
and  corn ; yet  never  departed  beyond  the  line  of  his 
own  business.  He  opened  a profitable  trade  with 
Baltimore,  sending  salmon  to  that  market  packed  in 
ice.  He  sent  it  in  his  own  vessel.  He  loaded  the  ship 
with  flour  as  return  cargo,  and  made  both  Baltimore 
and  Boston  contribute  to  his  fortune.  Through  all  his 
career  he  kept  up  the  same  style  of  business.  He  did 
his  business  as  thoroughly  and  as  honestly  with  a 
bushel  of  oysters  over  his  shoulder,  as  he  did  when  his 
capital  was  a million.  He  gave  personal  attention  to 
his  business  till  the  day  of  his  death. 


MOREISSET'8  STORY, 


201 


LXXY. 

MORRISSEY’S  STORY. 

HERE  one  man  succeeds  wlio  has  Morrissey’s 
habits,  character  and  business,  a thousand 
go  to  ruin.  Since  he  took  his  first  start  as 
a shoulder-hitter  among  the  politicians,  to 
the  present  hour,  he  has  been  a gambler  by  trade.  He 
can  draw  his  cheque  at  any  time  for  a hundred  thou- 
sand dollars.  He  is  a large-sized,  heavy-moulded  man  ; 
his  hair  crystal  black,  with  a face  disfigured  by  a 
broken  nose,  gained  in  a fight.  There  was  no  lower 
round  of  the  ladder  than  that  Morrissey  stood  on  when 
he  came  from  Troy  to  Xew  York.  The  city  was  ruled 
by  roughs  who  smashed  up  ballot-boxes  and  broke 
the  heads  of  voters.  He  was  employed  by  the  Whigs 
to  organize  a band  and  strike  back.  With  the  money 
obtained  from  this  source  he  bought  a suit  of  clothes, 
opened  a small  business  place,  and  to  liquors  added 
gambling.  He  drank  little  and  played  less.  His  own 
story,  as  he  tells  it,  is  this:  “I  was  a stout  lad  and 
made  fighting  my  business.  My  father-in-law  kicked 
me  out  of  the  house,  and  I started  for  New  York.  I 
was  poor  as  a wharf  rat,  and  could  hardly  pick  up 
my  bread.  I offered  to  fight  Rynders,  Hyer,  Sullivan, 
and  the  whole  crowd.  Nobody  would  fight  me,  and  I 
started  for  California.  After  fighting  Sullivan  at  Bos- 
ton Corners,  I got  married,  and  went  into  business.  I 
refused  to  fight  any  more,  but  they  would  not  let  me 
alone.  Heenan  threatened  to  thrash  me,  my  father 
was  whipped,  my  family  abused,  and  my  friends 
beaten.  I went  into  training  to  defend  myself.  I went 
into  battle  and  won  ; cleared  out  my  enemies,  and  got 


202 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


a broken  nose.  I resolved  to  do  something  for  the  rep- 
utation of  my  boy.  I chased  up  the  seat  in  Congress 
to  say,  ‘Your  father  began  in  the  prize-ring,  but  he 
wrote  M.  C.  after  his  name.’  ” 


LXXYI. 

LOCATION  FOR  BUSINESS. 

OCATION  has  a great  deal  to  do  with  a man’s 
success, — not  only  in  relation  to  business 
itself,  but  to  his  own  capacity.  Some  are 
large  men  in  a small  town,  and  very  small 
men  in  a large  town.  Some  make  money  in  a limited 
trade,  and  throw  it  away  in  an  extended  one.  Men 
who  ask  a wider  field  must  be  sure  that  they  have 
capacity  for  the  new  situation.  Men  make  a hundred 
thousand  dollars  as  country  bankers,  and  are  thrown 
fiat  on  their  back  in  Wall  street,  before  they  know 
what’s  the  matter.  For  an  energetic  daring  man  the 
city  is  the  place.  London  holds  the  trade  and  wealth 
of  England.  Paris  is  the  center  of  the  commerce  and 
money  of  France.  The  metropolis  of  a country  is  the 
great  money  center  where  fortunes  are  made.  It  was 
so  in  the  time  of  the  prophets.  It  was  the  ambition  of 
men  to  “go  into  the  city  and  buy,  sell,  and  get  gain.” 
The  merchants  of  old  Tyre  were  “princes,  and  her 
traffickers  were  the  honorable  of  the  earth.” 

A conversation  in  “the  south  hay  field”  at  Salsbury, 
induced  Webster  to  resolve  when  a boy  that  he  would 


LOCiiTION  FOB  BUSINESS. 


203 


live  in  a city.  He  opened  his  office  in  Portsmouth, 
found  his  way  to  Boston,  and  it  was  a life-long  regret 
that  he  did  not  move  to  JNTew  York.  Choate  opened 
his  rural  office  in  Danvers,  and  on  moving  to  Boston, 
took  his  place  at  the  head  of  the  bar. 

JoHi^^  Hall  was  as  much  of  a preacher  in  Ireland 
as  he  was  in  New  York.  He  had  no  fame  above  his 
brethren.  His  congregation  was  small  and  made  up  of 
Scotch-Irish.  At  the  head  of  a wealthy  influential 
city  church  he  was  another  man.  For  twenty-five  years 
Dr.  Taylor  was  rector  of  Grace  Church.  It  was  one 
of  the  most  fashionable  churches  in  the  metropolis. 
Position  did  everything  for  him.  He  was  a very  ordi- 
nary preacher,  and  could  hardly  have  got  a call  to  a 
country  church.  His  readings  were  nearly  inaudible — 
he  had  an  impediment  in  his  speech — with  a choking 
that  suggested  apoplexy.  His  pews  were  always  at  a 
premium,  and  his  church  was,  par  excellence,  the 
church  of  the  elite.  To  be  married  or  buried  from 
Grace  Church  was  the  height  of  human  felicity.  I 
knew  Rev.  E.  P.  Rogers  when  he  was  a wagon-maker 
in  Hartford.  He  studied  under  Dr.  Hawes,  and  came 
into  the  ministry  through  the  cabin  windows.  His 
settlement  on  Fifth  avenue  places  his  name  among  dis- 
tinguished men.  Few  people  know  that  Rev.  W.  H. 
H.  Murray  was  ever  settled  in  New  York.  He  was 
colleague  with  the  Rev.  E.  H.  Hatfield.  He  made  no 
mark,  and  .when  Dr.  Hatfield  was  dismissed  no  one 
thought  of  retaining  the  assistant.  At  Meriden  and 
Greenwich  he  had  only  an  average  success,  but  as  pas- 
tor at  Park  street  he  became  prominent. 

Had  Hastings  remained  at  Daylsford  he  never 
would  have  won  back  the  paternal  estate.  Had  Clive 
remained  in  the  home  of  his  boyhood,  he  would  prob- 


204 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


ably  have  been  familiar  with  the  rough  side  of  the  re- 
formatory. Cass  in  New  Hampshire  would  have  been 
justice  of  the  peace, — perhaps  governor.  Douglass 
among  the  Green  Mountains  would  have  been  a smart 
politician.  Lincoln,  in  the  blue-grass  of  Kentucky, 
might  have  been  a good  stock-raiser.  A boy  at  home 
seldom  has  a chance.  Nobody  believes  in  him, — least  of 
all,  his  relations.  His  indiscretions  will  be  flung  in  his 
face,  and  his  follies  written  with  a pen  of  iron.  A 
doctor  has  a small  chance  of  success  in  a town  where 
he  has  sown  his  wild  oats.  And  few  parishes  want  a 
minister  who  had  not  vim  enough  to  kick  foot-ball. 


LXXYII. 

HOMANCE  OP  THE  ASTORS. 

HE  Astors  are  an  exception  to  the  rule  that 
property  does  not  descend  to  the  third  gen- 
eration. The  style  of  business  introduced 
by  John  Jacob  is  observed  by  the  children. 
The  origin  of  the  house  was  humble  enough.  All  the 
Astors  know  the  value  of  money,  and  never  waste  it. 
They  do  not  spend  a shilling  except  under  the  x)tes- 
sure  of  necessity.  The  boys  never  ride  when  they  can 
walk,  never  call  a coach  when  they  can  take  an  omni- 
bus, never  take  an  omnibus  when  there  is  a street  car 
handy.  They  secure  a dollars’  worth  of  merchandise 
for  every  dollars’  worth  of  money.  The  habits  of  the 
elder  As  tor  were  as  regular  as  a Dutch  clock.  Spirits 
he  avoided  ; three  games  of  chequers  and  a glass  of  ale 
crowned  the  dinner. 


ROMANCE  OF  THE  A8T0RS. 


205 


Henry,  one  of  the  brothers,  was  a butcher  in  the 
Bowery.  He  was  a banker  in  a small  way,  and  loaned 
money  on  good  security.  John  Jacob  was  an  occa- 
sional borrower,  and  his  brother  said  to  him  : ‘‘  John, 

I will  give  you  a thousand  dollars,  if  you  will  never 
ask  me  for  another  loan,  and  never  ask  me  to 
indorse.”  Astor  knew  a good  bargain  when  he 
saw  it,  and  accepted  the  offer.  When  he  became 
known  in  trade  he  was  a terror  to  merchants,  he  bought 
so  heavily.  A cargo  of  tea  was  in  the  market,  and  a 
merchant  saw  Astor  coming  down  the  dock.  He  inter- 
cepted him,  and  said,  ‘‘I  will  give  you  a thousand 
dollars,  Astor,  if  you  won’t  attend  this  sale.”  Send 
up  your  cheque  before  three  o’clock,”  was  his  reply, 
and  Astor  turned  on  his  heel  and  walked  up  the  dock. 

Mrs.  Astor  did  her  part  toward  making  the  for- 
tune of  the  house.  She  was  an  energetic,  clear-headed 
and  decided  woman,  an  excellent  housekeeper,  and  an 
expert  accountant.  She  could  select  a cargo  of  furs, 
and  was  often  seen,  in  a plain  rig,  assorting  pelts 
where  the  Astor  House  now  stands.  She  cared  little 
for  society,  and  less  for  style.  She  was  a member  of 
the  old  Nassau  street  Baptist  Church,  and  her  house 
was  the  home  of  ministers.  She  heaped  logs  on  the 
fire,  lighted  the  candle,  placed  cider  and  apples  on  the 
table,  and  entertained  her  guests. 

John  Jacob  is  the  business  man  of  the  house.  He  is 
a brusque,  massive  fellow,  stout,  strong,  and  rugged — 
over  fifty — standing  six  feet  in  his  stockings.  His 
features  are  coarse,  his  expression  repulsive,  and  his 
face  indicates  stolid  indifference.  He  is  a man  of  few 
words,  frank,  decided,  and  gentlemanly.  He  can  be 
found  in  his  little  office  on  Prince  street — a cross  be- 
tween a country  store  and  a bank — attending  to  his 
immense  estate.  He  is  accessible  to  every  one.  No 
walking  gentleman  guards  the  door  ; no  snob  demands 


206 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


your  business.  He  attends  to  tlie  work  usually  as- 
signed to  a clerk.  ISTo  lawyer  can  better  trace  a chain 
of  titles.  He  knows  every  tenant  in  every  house  on 
his  great  rent-roll.  No  tenant  can  place  a penny’s 
worth  of  repairs  on  a building  without  his  consent. 
During  the  long  lease  of  the  Astor  House,  not  the 
slightest  improvement  could  be  made  without  the  over- 
sight of  the  owner.  Putting  in  a pane  of  glass,  mend- 
ing a lock,  or  driving  a nail  without  inspection.  An 
incident  will  show  the  style  of  business.  The  mer- 
chant refused  to  let  a house  at  a good  rent  because  he 
did  not  like  the  trade  of  the  tenant.  Soon  after,  a man 
came  in  and  asked  him  if  he  had  declined  to  rent  his 
house.  He  said  he  had  several  houses  in  the  city,  and 
would  be  glad  of  a tenant,  and  started  off  to  find  the 
applicant.  That  man  was  William  B.  Astor. 


LXXVIII. 

JAMES  HAEPEH’S  SET-OUT. 

AMES  HAEPEE  founded  the  house  of  Har- 
per Brothers.  He  was  a rugged,  robust, 
healthy  boy,  and  was  put  to  a boy’s  work 
on  a farm.  His  parents  were  respectable, 
hard-working  people,  and  trained  their  son  to  industry 
and  Methodism.  The  mother  was  a woman  of  decided 
talent  and  resolute  piety.  I was  sitting  one  day  in 
Mr.  Harper’s  counting-room  on  Franklin  square  when 
he  gave  me  the  following  account  of  his  business  strug- 
gles and  life. 


JAMES  HARPER'' 8 SET  OUT. 


207 


‘‘It  was  decided  that  I should  learn  a trade,  and  a 
place  was  found  for  me  in  a printing-office  on  Franklin 
square.  My  mother  led  the  family  devotions  the 
morning  I left  home,  and  was  deeply  affected.  As  I 
took  my  seat  in  the  wagon  she  came  out,  and  said  to 
me,  ‘James,  you’ve  got  good  blood  in  you.  Don’t 
disgrace  it.’  Wealthy  merchants  lived  round  the 
Square,  and  their  sons  made  fun  of  the  printer’s  boy. 
I was  especially  the  object  of  ridicule.  They  laughed 
at  my  dress,  my  shoes,  asked  me  for  my  card.  I 
kicked  one  fellow  down  stairs,  and  told  him  that  was 
my  card,  and  when  he  was  out  of  work  if  he  would 
come  to  me  I’d  employ  him.  Twenty  years  after  he 
came  and  begged  me  to  give  him  work  to  keep  him 
from  starving. 

“ When  I was  mayor  of  New  York  a young  woman 
called  at  my  office  and  wanted  me  to  give  her  emploj^- 
ment.  She  was  a daughter  of  a wealthy  merchant  whose 
sons  had  ridiculed  my  poverty  when  I was  doing  the 
dirty  work  in  the  printing-office.  She  was  very  attrac 
tive  and  very  accomplished.  She  had  been  the  belle 
of  the  city,  and  was  now  forlorn,  friendless,  and  an 
outcast.  I begged  her  to  return  to  the  society  she  had 
once  adorned.  She  rose  from  the  seat,  looked  me 
square  in  the  face,  and  said:  ‘Mr.  Harper,  you’re  a 
humane  man  ; you  would  help  me  if  any  body  would. 
You  have  daughters.  I’m  thoroughly  competent  to 
be  their  governess,  companion,  and  instructor.  Would 
you  place  them  under  my  care  ? Would  you  give  me 
shelter  and  a trial  V I could  not  speak  for  a moment. 
‘You  need  not  answer,’  she  replied,  was  out  of  sight 
in  a moment,  and  I never  saw  her  more.” 


208 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


LXXIX. 

DEMAS  BARXES  ROLLS  IX  SOME  COTTOX. 

STOOD  at  the  Park  gate  one  day,  when  an 
elegant  carriage  drove  by.  My  compamon 
said  : ‘‘I  knew  that  gentleman  when  he  had 
no  more  money  than  I have  ; he  is  now  a 
rich  man,  owns  his  carriage,  and  I am  battling  to  keep 
the  wolf  from  the  door.”  Had  my  friend  passed  his 
youth  as  Mr.  Barnes  passed  his,  he  might  have  driven 
his  four-in-hand  if  he  would.  Demas  Barnes  was  the 
son  of  a farmer  who  lived  back  of  Albany.  The  boy 
wished  to  earn  his  own  living,  and  Xew  York  seemed 
to  be  the  place  to  do  it  in.  There  was  not  money 
enough  to  pay  the  boy’s  fare,  so  he  footed  it  to  Albany. 
He  found  a sloop  bound  for  the  city,  and  offered  to 
work  his  passage,  but  the  captain  wanted  no  boys  on 
board.  Demas  did  not  argue  the  i^oint,  but  joined  the 
crew,  and  went  to  work.  He  was  too  useful  to  be  put 
ashore,  so  he  was  landed  at  the  foot  of  Canal  street,  a 
stranger,  hungry  and  penniless.  It  was  early  in  the 
morning,  and  near  the  landing  was  a vessel  loading 
with  cotton.  The  overseer  was  in  a hurry,  for  he 
wanted  to  catch  the  tide.  Demas  seized  a pair  of  idle 
trucks  and  fell  into  line.  He  spoke  to  no  one,  no  one 
spoke  to  him.  After  an  hour  a gong  sounded. 

What’s  that  for  ?”  said  Demas.  ‘‘Breakfast,”  and 
the  lad  followed  the  crowd  below.  He  fell  into  line, 
when  the  wages  were  paid,  received  his,  and  started  for 
Broadway.  The  old  Park  Theater  attracted  him,  but 
the  lowest  admission  was  thirty-seven  cents,  and  his 
daily  earnings  did  not  reach  that  sum.  Chatham  street 
was  more  considerate,  and  he  entered  her  play-house 
for  a shilling. 


DEMAS  BARNES  ROLLS  IN  SOME  COTTON  209 


Demas  sought  work,  and  he  was  inured  to  toil. 
His  uncle  brought  him  up  after  the  death  of  his  father, 
and  idleness  was  no  part  of  the  farm  culture.  An 
almshouse  pauper  could  not  have  been  used  worse. 
The  boy  was  smart  and  capable,  and  at  ten  did  a man’s 
work.  The  uncle  went  west,  and  left  Demas  in  charge 
of  the  farm.  He  worked  alone  the  whole  season,  took 
care  of  the  cattle,  planted  the  crops,  cut  the  hay,  and 
took  care  of  the  harvests.  His  fame  was  heralded  miles 
around  for  stacking  wheat  and  doing  fancy  work. 
Farming  was  not  to  his  taste,  and  he  proposed  to  be  a 
trader.  His  relations  opposed  his  plans,  but  he  had 
force  enough  to  act  for  himself.  His  savings  out  of 
three  years’  toil  were  two  dollars ; to  this  was  added 
a half-crown.  Away  from  home,  hard  work  was  diffi- 
cult to  get.  The  outlook  was  not  promising.  To  go 
home  and  confess  failure  he  would  not,  and  the  only 
thing  open  to  him,  was  to  go  to  sea.  Barnes  shipped  on 
board  of  a whaler  for  a five  years’  cruise.  He  was  sent  to 
New  Bedford,  and  his  outfit  was  locked  up  to  keep  him 
from  running  away.  As  the  vessel  dropped  down  the 
bay  the  boy  took  in  the  situation.  His  five  years’ 
cruise  would  sever  him  from  everything  he  held  dear, 
and  he  would  throw  away  five  years  of  the  best  jDart 
of  his  life.  The  vessel  dropped  anchor  preparatory  to 
her  sail  in  the  morning.  Barnes  got  his  clothes,  jumped 
overboard  at  night,  and  reached  the  shore.  As  he  lay 
hidden  in  the  bushes,  he  heard  his  pursuers  on  his 
track.  He  traveled  at  night ; begged  a morsel  of  food 
here  and  there,  slept  in  barns  and  under  the  hedges, 
and  after  three  days’  tramp  the  sjjires  of  Providence 
hove  in  sight.  He  worked  his  way  back  to  New  York 
penniless,  but  not  discouraged. 

He  heard  of  a vacancy  in  a store,  twenty  miles  off, 
and  he  went  &)r  it,  walking  the  whole  distance.  The 
store-keeper  was  taking  down  his  shutters  when 


210 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Barnes  arrived  ; he  wanted  no  boy,  but  Barnes  thought 
he  did,  and  proceeded  to  help  him  open  the  store.  The 
man  liked  his  i3luck,  and  offered  him  a place  for  little 
more  than  his  board.  Anything  was  better  than  idle- 
ness, and  Bemas  went  to  work  with  his  accustomed 
energy.  After  the  store  was  opened,  the  tire  built, 
and  the  horse  cared  for,  the  business  of  the  day  was 
blacking  stoves.  One  day  he  called  the  merchant  up- 
stairs and  pointed  to  a long  row  of  nicely-polished 
stoves,  and  said:  “Can  I improve  my  work?”  “I 
think  not.”  “Then  I’ll  graduate.”  h^ext  he  went 
into  the  dry-goods  business  on  his  own  account,  taking 
a partner  who  had  a splendid  capital  on  paper,  but 
had  neither  cash  nor  credit. 

At  last  Mr.  Barnes  found  the  place  fitted  for  him. 
He  became  a clerk  in  a drug-store.  He  learned  every- 
thing he  could  learn  as  subordinate,  and  then  in  a 
small  way  set  up  business  for  himself.  His  capital 
was  indomitable  industry,  pluck,  and  personal  atten- 
tion to  business.  No  store  was  opened  so  early  ; none 
closed  so  late.  No  dray-man,  no  stone-mason,  worked 
as  hard.  He  made  his  own  fires,  purchased  his  own 
goods — and  delivered  the  packages  with  his  own  hands. 
He  worked  at  night  when  there  was  work  to  do.  He 
slept  under  the  counter,  and  often  sold  a bill  of  goods 
before  breakfast.  The  trade  learned  his  habits  and 
bought  goods  of  him  out  of  business  hours.  He  was 
frank  and  honorable  in  trade,  and  had  marked  execu- 
tive ability.’  His  business  became  great  in  New  York, 
and  he  extended  it  to  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati,  and  Cali- 
fornia. He  found  it  nearly  impossible  to  get  men  to 
attend  to  his  affairs  and  let  outside  matters  alone. 
His  business,  scattered  over  the  entire  country,  had  to 
be  watched  and  cared  for  by  himself.  During  his  long 
business  career,  he  never  had  an  indorser,  and  he  never 
failed  to  meet  an  obligation  when  it  was  due. 


MORGAN  DIX  AND  TRINITY  CHURCH 


211 


Mr.  Barnes  prospered,  and  spent  his  money  with 
marked  liberality.  He  furnished  his  mother  with  an 
ample  and  elegant  support.  He  arranged  his  elegant 
grounds  so  the  public  might  enjoy  their  beauty.  Had 
his  suggestions  been  carried  out  in  regard  to  Prospect 
Park,  the  deformity  of  that  beautiful  promenade  would 
have  been  avoided.  His  marked  public  spirit  is  seen 
in  his  gifts  of  statuary  to  the  Park,  the  loan  of  his 
costly  works  of  art  for  charitable  purposes,  with  his 
large  donations  to  benevolent  associations.  He  has 
rendered  important  service  in  the  halls  of  Congress 
and  the  cause  of  education.  He  owns  the  fine  property 
on  which  the  Park  Theater  stood,  from  whose  doors  he 
was  turned  away  as  a boy  when  too  poor  to  pay  for 
admission.  He  has  kept  the  home  of  his  boyhood 
bright  and  beautiful.  His  taste  was  offended  by  the 
irregularity  of  the  trees  on  the  farm.  He  ordered  them 
taken  up  and  placed  in  aline.  ‘‘Your  trees  are  all 
dead,”  said  the  overseer.  “Nevermind,”  said  the 
owner.  “ They  died  all  in  a row.” 


LXXX. 

MORGAN  DIX  AND  TRINITY  CHURCH. 

T is  a matter  of  general  surprise  that  so  young 
a man  should  secure  so  important  a position 
as  rector  of  Trinity  Church.  When  the 
keys  were  handed  to  him  from  the  north 
porch  of  old  Trinity,  he  appeared  like  a young  colleg- 
ian just  graduated.  The  vestry  of  Trinity  Church,  of 


212 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


which  the  rector  is  chairman,  controls  millions,  and 
there  is  an  immense  amount  of  business  to  be  done. 
Through  the  influence  of  his  father.  Governor  Dix, 
young  Morgan  was  made  assistant  minister.  He  was 
cut  out  for  a lawyer.  He  was  gifted  with  accurate 
business  habits,  great  executive  force,  and  possessed 
the  exactness  of  a banker.  His  department  was  always 
in  order.  His  papers  were  accurately  drawn,  properly 
filed,  and  regularly  red- taped.  Dr.  Berrian  was  the 
rector  ; an  old  man,  genial,  gentle,  and  easy  to  be 
helped.  His  duties  were  too  onerous  to  be  borne  cheer- 
fully by  a rector  with  a heavy  stipend.  Young  Dix 
saw  the  weakness  of  his  superior  and  availed  himself 
of  it.  He  was  a nervous,  wiry  and  active  man,  who  was 
only  wretched  when  he  had  nothing  to  do.  He  took  the 
laboring  oar  off  from  Dr.  Berrian  and  did  the  rector’s 
work  as  well  as  his  own.  Everything  was  admirably 
done,  done  on  time,  and  under  the  nervous  enginery 
of  the  young  assistant.  The  rector’s  department  never 
lagged.  There  was  an  office  in  the  gift  of  the  rector 
which  had  not  been  filled  in  twenty-five  years.  Few 
persons  knew  of  its  existence.  The  vestry  were  aston- 
ished one  day  by  the  announcement  of  Dr.  Berrian  that 
he  proposed  to  revive  the  office*  of  assistant  rector 
and  appoint  Dr.  Dix  to  the  vacant  chair.  The  pro- 
posal was  vehemently  opposed,  especially  on  the 
part  of  the  assistant  ministers.  The  rectorsliip  was 
a prize  anxiously  looked  towards.  Dr.  Berrian  could 
not  live  forever,  and  somebody  must  take  his  place. 
Some  had  been  assistant  ministers  for  years,  and  by  the 
law  of  promotion  they  would  have  a right  to  the  im- 
portant post.  Some  had  left  important  charges,  and 
accepted  subordinate  ijositions  in  Trinity  Church,  ex- 
l^ecting  promotion  when  the  rectorship  was  vacant. 
Should  young  Dix  be  appointed  assistant  rector,  with 
his  superb  business  qualities,  and  with  his  father,  all 


EQUITABLE  LIFE  ASSURANCE  SOCIETY. 


213 


potent,  in  the  vestry,  his  ascent  to  the  high  dignity 
would  be  easy.  All  opposition  was  useless.  The  ap- 
pointment was  with  the  rector,  and  he  placed  Dr.  Dix 
in  power.  The  fears  of  his  rivals  were  realized.  On 
the  death  of  Dr.  Berrian,  young  Dix  was  unanimously 
appointed  rector  of  old  Trinity.  The  disappointed 
were  saved  all  mortification,  as  the  induction  was  sim- 
ply of  a legal  order.  The  young  rector  stood  in  the 
porch  of  the  church — the  vestry  handed  him  the  keys  ; 
these  he  quietly  put  in  his  pocket,  and  turned  on  his 
heel,  the  head  of  the  richest  corporation  in  the  land. 
Young  Dix  owes  his  magnificent  position  to  his  superb 
business  * talents,  and  his  adroitness  in  using  well  a 
subordinate  position.  Talents,  like  blood,  will  tell. 


LXXXT. 

EQUITABLE  LIFE  ASSURANCE  SOCIETY. 

O one  can  write  the  history  of  the  Equitable 
Life  without  writing  the  business  career  of 
Henry  B.  Hyde.  Though  a young  man,  he 
has  won  bj^  his  energy,  ability  and  success, 
a name  among  our  most  successful  young  men.  He 
entered  the  life  insurance  as  a business  in  1855,  when 
he  became  connected  with  the  Mutual  Life  of  New 
York.  He  rapidly  worked  his  way  up  until  he  be- 
came cashier  of  that  influential  institution.  He  had 
confidence  in  life  insurance  as  the  business  of  the  age. 
He  believed  there  was  room  for  a new  company,  and 
proceeded  to  form  one.  Mr.  Hyde  took  a leading  part 


214 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


in  the  formation  of  the  new  company  in  1859.  He 
toiled  as  few  men  are  willing  to  toil ; took  the  position 
of  canvasser,  and  solicited  business  on  every  hand. 
His  individual  labor  nearly  paid  the  entire  cost  of  the 
hrst  year’s  expense.  His  untiring  industry,  indomit- 
able energy  and  persistency  overcame  every  obstacle. 
His  intelligence  and  fertile  genius  brought  to  life  in- 
surance new  lines  of  work.  Nothing  was  too  small  for 
him,  nothing  too  great.  To  make  the  company  a suc^ 
cess,  he  worked  night  and  day,  with  a magnetism  pecu- 
liarly his  own.  He  won  over  opponents,  removed  im- 
pediments, and  made  the  company  friends  everywhere. 
Certain  principles  were  laid  down  at  the  start,  on 
which  the  prosperity  of  the  society  was  to  be  be  based. 

A board  of  directors  was  selected  to  win  the  confi- 
dence of  the  public.  In  the  list  were  some  of  the 
most  prominent  business  men  of  the  city.  Though 
nominally  not  at  the  head  of  this  board,  Mr.  Hyde  was 
the  ruling  spirit.  Nothing  satisfied  him  ; when  one 
point  was  gained  he  sought  to  gain  another.  Like  a 
general  scaling  a barricade,  the  carrying  of  one  parallel 
only  incited  him  to  take  the  next.  If  a month’ s work 
was  uncommonly  good,  he  did  not  exult  over  it,  but 
would  quietly  remark  : “Yes;  we’ve  done  well,  but 
we  must  do  better  next  month.”  To  an  expert  so- 
licitor he  would  remark  : “You  have  done  very  nicely  ; 
make  a better  report  when  you  come  in  again.”  Mr. 
Hyde  was  sure  of  the  co-operation  of  all  his  associates. 
His  good  common  sense  and  enthusiasm  won  their  con- 
fidence. He  kept  nothing  to  himself.  A successful 
plan  known  at  lieadquarters  was  at  once  sent  to  every 
agent.  The  most  distant  post  was  as  w^ell  instructed 
as  the  home  office. 

All  the  solictors  and  agents  were  gathered  from  time 
to  time  to  discuss  the  methods  of  business.  Hints 
were  thrown  out,  difficulties  removed,  obstacles  dis- 


EQUITABLE  LIFE  ASSURANCE  SOCIETY.  215 


cussed,  new  plans  suggested,  and  thus  the  prosperity 
of  the  company  promoted.  Sometimes  a whole  year’s 
work  was  mapped  out,  and  every  man  everywhere 
pushing  forward  on  the  same  system.  All  the  em- 
ployees had  not  the  same  intelligence,  push,  nor  force, 
but  all  had  equal  opportunities  to  know  the  best 
methods. 

The  Equitable  worked  on  Webster’s  idea  of  crowd- 
ing a great  deal  into  a small  space — “When  you  work, 
work  ; when  you  play,  play.”  The  Equitable  preferred 
to  do  a year’s  work  in  six  months  rather  than  spread 
six  months’  work  over  a year.  Everybod^^  in  the  land 
knew  of  the  existence  and  the  claims  of  the  Equitable. 
The  press  was  used  with  vigor  and  liberality.  First- 
class  ability  was  demanded  and  paid  for.  The  society 
increased  from  year  to  year  in  the  number  and  size  of 
its  premiums  and  the  better  class  of  its  risks.  The 
great  aim  of  the  society  has  been  to  secure  risks  of  a 
higher  grade,  where  the  mortality  has  decreased.  Sta- 
tistics show  that  a prosperous  and  well-employed  man, 
living  in  an  airy  and  well- ventilated  situation,  is  a 
better  risk  than  one  dwelling  in  an  over-crowded  tene- 
ment house,  and  breathing  the  atmosphere  of  contagion. 
For  seventeen  years  the  Equitable  has  held  in  its 
prosperous  way,  increasing  in  breadth  and  strength. 
Its  financial  policy  has  been  a guarantee  of  its  safety. 
The  business  for  the  first  year  reached  the  sum  of  two 
millions,  distributed  among  612  policies.  In  1869  it 
reached  fifty -two  millions,  distributed  among  11,986 
policies. 

The  headquarters  on  Broadway  is  one  of  the  land- 
marks of  INew  York.  The  granite  structure  without  a 
rival  fills  a block  from  Broadway  to  Nassau  street,  and 
has  entrances  on  Liberty  and  Cedar.  The  cost  of  the 
structure  is  covered  by  its  rentals,  and  saves  to  the 
policy-holders  a hundred  thousand  a year.  Clerks  and 


216 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


agents  are  cared  for  in  well- ventilated  and  elegantly- 
fnrnislied  rooms.  The  foresight  of  the  company  has 
grafted  on  to  its  new  methods  the  Tontine  plan.  This 
method  is  in  great  favor  with  wealthy  insurers,  who 
desire  the  security  of  a life-policy,  joined  to  a proiita- 
ble  investment.  It  is  an  endovrment  policy,  at  the  cost 
of  an  ordinary  one.  It  provides  for  a man’s  household 
if  he  dies,  and  gives  him  a competency  if  he  lives. 
The  Tontine  is  a life  policy  after  the  first  premium. 
Taken  early,  the  insured  secures  a handsome  income 
at  forty, — an  income  that  reverses  can’t  touch,  his  for- 
tunes can’t  shake,  and  the  sheriff  can’t  handle.  A 
man  may  spend  his  salary  early,  and  have  a reserve 
laid  up  for  a rainy  day. 


LXXXII. 

SAM  COLT. 

LT  was  a blacksmith.  He  was  an  unedu- 
cated, rough,  coarse  fellow,  and  fond  of 
strong  drink.  It  is  denied  that  he  was  the 
inventor  of  Colt’s  revolver.  At  any  rate, 
there  is  a genuine  Colt  revolver  hanging  in  the  London 
Tower,  where  it  has  hung  for  over  five  hundred  years. 
The  tradition  is  that  Colt  saw  a copy  of  this  revolver 
in  the  Tower.  As  a man  of  genius,  he  took  in  at  a 
glance  what  a few  improvements  would  do  this  efficient 
weapon.  He  was  a genius  in  his  way,  and  a man  of 
very  marked  abilities.  A company  was  formed  for  the 
manufacture  of  Colt’s  jjistols.  Colt  had  a terrific  tern- 


BUYING  A COUNTRY  SEAT. 


217 


per,  and  was  so  unreasonable  that  no  one  could  do 
business  with  him.  He  bought  out  the  company  for  a 
song,  and  set  up  for  himself.  A lucrative  contrac-t  from 
the  Grovernment  made  the  foundation  for  a magnificent 
fortune.  He  bought  a large  tract  of  swamp  land  in 
lower  Hartford,  and  by  complete  drainage  and  a liberal 
outlay,  he  brought  these  useless  lands  up  to  the  value 
of  a million. 


LXXXIII. 

BUYHSTH  A COUNTRY  SEAT. 

P.  HUBBARD  has  been  for  a great  many 
years  secretary  of  the  New  England  Society. 
He  has  an  original  way  of  doing  things.  He 
took  to  tobacco  when  he  was  twelve,  both 
chewing  and  smoking.*  He  united  with  the  church 
when  he  was  a young  man.  Some  one  suggested  to 
him  that  chewing  tobacco  was  a disgusting  habit,  and 
not  exactly  cleanly  for  a Christian.  Thinking  the 
matter  over  one  night,  he  said  he  would  count  up  how 
much  his  tobacco  bill  cost  him  in  a year.  He  resolved 
then  and  there  not  only  to  abandon  the  practice,  but 
to  open  a tobacco  account.  He  charged  himself  with 
six  and  a quarter  cents  a day,  and  this  sum  he  put 
aside  from  week  to  week.  Forty  years  run  by  and  a 
country  seat  was  needed.  One  was  selected  on  the 
Sound,  with  lawns,  gardens,  and  orchards.  After  the 
house  was  completely  furnished,  a horse  and  carriage 
bought,  and  a boat  secured,  the  cost  footed  up  the 


218 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


round  sum  of  $33,641.42.  The  tobacco  fund  furnished 
that  exact  amount,  and  paid  for  the  whole  establish- 
ment. 


LXXXIY. 

HOUSE  OF  THE  STUARTS. 


HE  father  of  Stuart,  of  candy  and  sugar  fame, 
was  a Scotch  merchant.  He  was  surety  for 
a relative,  and  smarted  for  it.  His  entire 
property  was  taken  from  him,  and  a debt  of 
about  seven  thousand  dollars  stood  against  him.  To 
retrieve  his  fortunes  he  emigrated  to  America.  He  was 
energetic,  clear-headed,  with  strong  common  sense  and 
a robust  constitution.  To  this  capital  was  added  a 
small  stock  of  money,  and  he  opened  business  on  Bar- 
clay street  in  1805.  He  manufactured  and  sold  candy 
in  a small  way.  He  worked  fifteen  hours  out  of 
twenty-four,  toiling  not  only  for  bread,  but  to  pay 
the  Scottish  debt  that  hung  over  him.  In  six  years  he 
wiped  out  the  foreign  claim.  Each  of  his  eighteen 
creditors  received  twenty  shillings  to  the  pound,  with 
interest.  The  thrifty  Scotchmen  were  delighted  with 
the  prosperity  of  Kinlock,  as  they  had  regarded  the 
claim  as  a bad  one.  In  their  gratitude  they  executed 
a parchment,  bearing  date  1812,  expressing  their  ap- 
proval of  his  honorable  course. 

Kinlock  Stuart  was  a plain  man  with  great  sim- 
plicity of  character.  He  was  distinguished  for  shrewd- 
ness, joined  with  untiring  activity  and  integrity.  He 
was  fond  of  company,  and  welcomed  his  friends  with 


generous  hospitality.. 


He  was  a 


large 


when 


GLAMOUR  OF  PUBLIC  LIFE. 


219 


large  gifts  were  rare.  A member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  he  bore  his  share  in  its  beneficent  work.  He 
died  in  1826  at  the  age  of  fifty-one  years,  leaving  an 
estate  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

With  this  capital  the  house  of  the  Stuarts  was 
founded.  Robert  was  born  in  Barclay  street,  in  1806, 
and  Alexander  in  Chambers  street,  where  he  still  lives, 
in  1810.  The  firm  of  R.  L.  & A.  Stuart  was  formed 
in  1828.  It  has  continued  without  additional  partners 
until  now.  As  manufacturers  of  sugar  and  candy,  the 
firm  became  famous  in  all  lands.  It  was  the  first  to 
introduce  the  steam  refining  process  and  make  it  a 
success.  All  previous  attempts  ended  in  bankruptcy. 
No  work  has  ever  been  done  on  the  Sabbath, — not  even 
the  repairing  of  machinery.  Between  1861  and  1872 
the  sales  of  the  house  reached  thirty-six  millions,  and 
not  a dollar  was  lost  by  bad  debts  ; no  obligation  was 
ever  protested,  and  the  firm  never  paid  over  seven  per 
cent,  for  the  use  of  money.  Having  made  a j)rincely 
fortune,  and  unwilling  to  introduce  the  new  machinery 
of  the  hour,  trade  was  relinquished,  the  machinery 
cleared  out,  and  the  mammoth  building  rented  for  mer- 
chandise. 


LXXXY. 

GLAMOUR  OF  PUBLIC  LIFE. 

ORE  men  are  euined  by  the  fascination  of 
public  life,  than  by  almost  anything  else. 
Every  man  is  a sovereign,  and  every  sove- 
reign feels  that  he  is  entitled  to  office.  The 
trade  of  politics  is  a poor  one,  and  few  men  make  any- 


220 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


thing  out  of  it.  Webster  cursed  the  day  that  he  was 
seduced  from  his  law-office  in  Boston  to  become  a poli- 
tician. Choate  was  offered  a seat  on  the  United  States 
bench.  He  declined  with  thanks.  In  a letter  to  Presi- 
dent Fillmore  he  said : The  salary  can’t  support  me, 
and  I won’t  steal.”  Those  who  had  the  entree  to  Wash- 
ington society,  will  recall  the  elegant  manner  in  which 
the  daughters  of  Chief  Justice  Taney  entertained. 
Yet  those  same  elegant  girls  begged  writing  of  the 
Treasury  department  to  give  them  a little  bread.  Post- 
master Jewell  was  waited  upon  by  two  young  ladies, 
daughters  of  an  eminent  senator,  and  asked  employ- 
ment to  get  bread.  ‘‘If  I continue  in  office,”  said  the 
official,  “my  daughters  may  do  the  same  thing.”  Doug- 
lass was  reputed  to  be  a millionaire.  ISo  receptions 
were  so  popular  or  as  elegant  as  those  held  by  Mrs. 
Douglass.  He  was  able,  out  of  his  landed  estate, 
to  give  property  to  a college  worth  half  a million.  He 
periled  everything  he  had  in  a political  cast,  and 
bankrupted  himself  and  nearly  all  his  friends.  He 
died  suddenly,  and  his  wife  had  not  property  enough 
to  give  him  a grave.  From  the  elegant  saloons  of 
fashion  the  wife  turned  to  a small  room  in  the  Treasury 
building  as  she  wrote  for  a living.  Daniel  Dickin- 
son made  a fortune  in  his  law  business.  He  became  a 
politician,  lost  all  he  was  worth,  and  would  have  left 
his  family  in  want,  but  for  a timely  life-policy 
secured  by  his  friends.  A well-known  New  York 
LAWYER  was  very  successful  at  the  bar.  His  friends 
put  him  into  office.  The  governorship  was  sure  to  him, 
with  the  United  States  senatorship  in  reversion.  His 
friends  used  him  and  betrayed  him.  He  lost  every- 
thing. He  has  begun  on  the  low  round  of  the  ladder 
where  he  stood  twenty-five  years  ago.  The  glamour 
of  iiublic  life  seized  on  a well-known  banker.  He  had 
been  in  trade  and  earned  a fortune.  He  stood  at  the 


GLAMOUR  OF  PUBLIC  LIFE. 


221 


head  of  a large  and  liberal  denomination.  He  was  pres- 
ident of  a large  bank.  Wily  politicians  got  hold  of 
him  ; promised  to  make  him  secretary  of  the  treasury; 
nsed  his  money  freely ; bankrupted  him  in  estate, 
morals,  health,  and  he  died  in  an  insane  retreat. 

Nearly  every  public  man  who  has  devoted  his  life 
to  political  pursuits  has  been  financially  mined.  The 
country  has  never  paid  enough  to  its  officials  to  justify 
the  extravagance  of  public  life.  There  are  but  two 
things  to  be  done  : either  officials  must  steal  or  be 
financially  ruined.  Washington  was  a rich  man  when 
he  drew  his  sword  as  commander  of  the  Hepublican 
forces.  The  seven  years’  war  would  have  ruined  him 
had  he  not  maintained  the  strictest  economy.  Through 
all  the  war  he  watched  with  a jealous  eye  the  expendi- 
tures of  Mt.  Yernon.  The  bills  for  the  purchase  of 
laces  and  satins  passed  under  his  eye.  The  farm  at  Mt. 
Vernon  embraced  fifteen  square  miles.  Mrs.  Washing- 
ton had  the  charge  of  this  and  of  six  hundred  servants. 
Every  acre  sown,  harvested  or  sold,  was  known  to  the 
master  in  the  camp. 

Jeffers  ox  had  a fair  fortune  when  he  embarked 
on  the  career  of  public  life.  He  inherited  nineteen  hun- 
dred acres,  and  he  increased  the  possession  to  five 
thousand.  His  income  above  this  farm  revenue  was 
three  thousand  a year.  His  wife’s  cash  dowry  was 
forty  thousand  dollars.  His  public  life  began  in  1774 
and  ended  in  1809,  and  for  nineteen  years  he  was  ab- 
sent from  Monticello.  He  was  abroad  seven  years.  On 
his  return  in  1809,  he  found  his  estate  neglected,  the 
property  squandered,  and  his  fortune  scattered  to  the 
four  winds. 

All  attempts  to  retrieve  his  fortune  were  in  vain. 
A lottery  was  proposed,  but  the  scheme  failed.  Jef- 
ferson entered  into  a humiliating  negotiation  with  the 


222 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS, 


government  to  buy  the  library.  After  passing  through 
the  deepest  mortilication  Congress  offered  for  the  books 
$28,950.  The  effort  to  dispose  of  Monticello  failed  and 
the  third  president  of  the  United  States  was  publicly 
adjudged  a bankrupt.  The  city  of  New  York  made  a 
donation  of  $8,500,  and  other  cities  were  alike  generous. 
But  for  this  timely  aid  Jefferson  would  have  died  poor 
and  died  in  absolute  want.  Had  he  left  public  life 
alone  and  attended  to  his  farm  and  his  legal  business, 
Jefferson  could  have  lived  and  died  in  affluence. 

The  Adams,  father  and  son,  left  Washington  with- 
out financial  discredit.  There  is  not  a Treasury  clerk 
in  the  city  who  would  live  in  the  style  which  marked 
the  public  career  of  John  Adams  and  John  Qu-incy. 
The  boys  were  trained  to  industry,  and  Mrs.  Adams 
was  not  ashamed  to  have  it  known  that  John  Quincy 
earned  an  honest  penny  by  riding  post  between  Brain- 
tree and  Boston.  Mrs.  Adams  was  the  first  mistress 
of  the  White  House.  The  building  was  unfinished  and 
■unfurnished,  and  she  maintained  but  little  style.  The 
building  could  neither  be  lighted  nor  warmed.  The 
famous  East  room  was  used  for  drying  clothes. 

Madisom  and  Mojtroe  both  were  financially  embar- 
rassed and  died  poor.  Jackson  lived  upon  his  income 
and  carried  to  Washington  plain  manners  of  the  Her- 
mitage. He  spent  his  summers  at  the  little  island 
opposite  Norfolk,  known  as  the  Hip  Haps.  Here,  in  a 
room  without  a carpet,  sitting  in  a rush-bottomed 
chair,  tipped  back,  coat  off,  feet  in  slippers,  with  a cob- 
pipe  in  his  month,  he  gave  audience  to  ambassa- 
dors. Van  Buren  had  the  Hutch  thrift.  During 
his  full  term  he  lived  upon  his  private  fortune, 
and  carried  his  salary  home  with  him  to  Kinder- 
hook  in  gold.  Polk  was  accounted  the  meanest 


GLAMOUR  OF  PUBLIC  LIFE. 


223 


President  that  ever  sat  in  the  chair  of  Washington. 
He  knew  the  value  of  a dollar.  His  team  was  the 
shabbiest  in  the  capitoL  His  coach  was  a second-hand 
hack,  and  his  horses  looked  like  broken-down  beasts 
who  had  served  their  time  in  a city  omnibus.  The 
presidency  found  Frank  Pierce  boarding  in  a story- 
and-a-half  wood  cottage  at  Concord,  with  a carpenter. 
He  was  economy  personified.  He  kept  a working  suit 
which  he  wore  in  his  office,  and  which  he  changed 
when  it  was  necessary  to  see  company.  He  carried 
out  of  the  White  House  fifty  thousand  dollars  which 
he  saved  out  of  his  income.  The  Bachelor  Presi- 
dent, James  Buchanan,  was  a rigid  economist.  No 
lawyer’s  clerk  would  dress  as  slouchily.  He  main- 
tained no  style.  On  Sundays,  he  walked  from  the 
White  House  to  the  little  Presbyterian  church  on  F 
street.  He  usually  came  late,  shuffled  up  the  aisle, 
dodged  into  a wall  pew,  and  seemed  to  doze  through 
the  service. 

One  day  I stood  on  the  piazza  of  a mansion  that 
had  been  occupied  by  one  of  the  most  eminent  men  of 
the  land.  Two  young  men  were  reclining  in  the  shade. 
They  were  handsome  fellows,  highly  educated  and 
talented.  They  were  born  to  everything  that  men 
covet.  They  could  have  been  merchant  princes  or  been 
eminent  in  the  law.  Had  they  selected  public  life, 
family  influence  would  have  carried  them  high.  The 
public  life  of  their  father  ruined  them.  They  flung 
everything  away,  and  when  they  were  sober,  earned  a 
precarious  livelihood  by  exhibiting  the  mansion  in 
which  their  distinguished  relative  died. 


224 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


LXXXVI. 

TRADES  THAT  RUIN. 

T is  not  possible  to  conduct  some  kinds  of 
business  on  honorable  principles.  Some 
trades  defile  like  pitch.  Riim- selling,  haz- 
ard-policy business,  horse-jockeying,  and 
kindred  pursuits,  impart  their  flavor  to  all  engaged 
in  them.  Theatricals,  without  discussing  the  question 
of  morality  or  immorality,  is  a terrible  trade  for  all  en- 
gaged in  it.  This  is  proved,  not  only  by  the  life  and 
and  death  of  actors,  but  from  the  testimony  of  the 
most  successful  of  the  profession.  Macready’s  Rem- 
iniscences and  the  recently  published  statements  of 
Fanny  Kemble  Butler,  show  that  breaking  stones  on 
the  road  and  shoveling  coal  are  pastimes  compared 
with  the  stage.  Not  twenty- five  in  twenty-five  years 

make  anythin'g  by  the  trade.  Ninety-five  out  of  a 
hundred  die  poor,  and  but  for  assistance  would  die  in 
want.  The  income  to  star  actors  during  a few  brief 
sunny  days  is  very  large.  The  extravagance  indispens- 
able to  popular  life  forbids  economy.  To  the  actor  the 
winter  of  want  comes  early  and  remains  long.  This  is 
especially  true  of  women  on  th3  stage.  With  the 
least  roughness  of  voice,  grossness  of  person,  or  pallor 
of  cheek,  the  favorite  is  whistled  down  the  wind,  and  a 
new  idol  installed.  A woman  radiant  in  diamonds, — 
in  satins  and  lace, — imperious  to  managers  and 
haughty  to  the  public,  is  one  person.  The  same 
woman  lying  in  a back  attic,  depending  on  charity  for 
her  surgeon  and  her  broth,  scarcely  able  to  command 
the  offices  of  religion,  shows  another  side.  The  dra- 
matic profession  reverse  both  the  rules  of  trade  and 
morality.  Extravagance  is  a law,  day  is  turned  into 


BLUR  OF  IMPERTINENCE. 


225 


niglit,  heated  viands  are  demanded,  stimulants  are 
necessary  to  keep  up  the  tone,  and  no  handwriting  is 
needed  to  predict  the  end. 

Booth  in  the  height  of  his  fame  with  a lordly  in- 
come squandered  half  a million  and  became  a bank- 
rupt. For  a hundred  years  this  has  been  the  record  of 
theatrical  life  as  a business.  Any  city  will  aiford  illus- 
trations of  the  trades  that  ruin.  One  of  the  lordly 
mansions  on  Brooklyn  Heights,  was  owned  by  a man 
who  began  trade  in  the  smallest  way.  When  he  be- 
came rich  all  his  judgment  and  prudence  forsook  him, 
and  with  the  fragments  of  his  fortune  he  retired  to  the 
country. 

Albert  Barnes,  like  Milton,  Dr.  Dwight,  and  other 
eminent  men,  ruined  his  health  by  violating  physical 
law.  With  the  labors  of  a large  city  charge  upon  him 
he  became  a noted  author.  He  worked  when  other 
men  slept.  He  paid  for  his  extravagance  by  the  early 
loss  of  his  eyesight. 


LXXXVII. 

BLUB  OF  IMPEETINEXCE. 

ME  SMART  young  men  ruin  themselves  by 
allowing  their  smartness  to  slide  into  imper- 
tinence. Talent  and  temper  often  go  to- 
gether. It  is  rare  to  find  a sharp  man  that  is  a 
courteous  man.  It  is  true,  as  the  proverb  saith  : “A 
diamond  with  a fiaw  is  better  than  a pebble  without.” 
But  the  fiaw  adds  nothing  to  the  value  of  the  diamond. 
15 


226 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


What  is  known  as  old-school  politeness  is  a rare  com- 
modity in  trade,  for  our  young  men  seem  to  cultivate 
rudeness  and  incivility.  A smart  salesman  lost  his 
place  because  he  was  rude  to  small  buyers.  A bright 
room- clerk  was  turned  adrift  because,  as  the  landlord 
said,  he  sassed  the  boarders.”  A well-known  adver- 
tising agent  in  New  York  vv^on  a fortune  by  his  bland- 
ness and  civility.  He  is  losing  custom  every  day  by 
the  impudence  of  his  employees.  It  is  noted  that  in- 
civility increased  as  customers  go  down,  the  line,  till 
they  reach  the  porter,  who  is  generally  civil.  On 
Broadway,  near  Canal,  in  a very  large  dry -goods  house, 
a walking-gentleman  drives  away  custom  from  the 
house  every  day.  I stood  in  the  store  one  day  and 
heard  a question  put  to  the  man.  It  was  one  that  a 
gentleman  might  ask  and  one  that  a gentleman  would 
certainly  answer.  The  walking-gentleman  was  doing 
nothing,  yet  he  returned  not  only  an  impertinent  but  a 
rude  reply.  The  visitor  turned  upon  his  heel  and 
walked  out.  If  he  had  a bill  of  goods  to  purchase,  he 
would  not  have  bought  them  at  that  house. 

A SLIP  OF  A BOY  was  Selling  tickets  at  the  office  of 
the  Brooklyn  City  Kailroad.  A lady  in  deep  mourn- 
ing asked  for  a package  of  tickets  and  laid  down  a two- 
dollar  bill.  The  lad  threw  down  two  packages  of  tick- 
ets. The  lady  declined  to  receive  but  one,  and  asked 
for  her  change.  The  boy  flew  at  the  woman  ; covered 
her  with  abuse  because  he  made  a mistake  in  giving  her 
two  packages  when  she  asked  for  but  one.  I was 
amused  at  the  astonishment  of  a New  Yorker  who  had 
his  first  experience  in  being  waited  upon  by  a Yankee 
girl.  We  were  at  a restaurant  on  the  line  of  the  Con- 
cord Railroad.  Her  father  ran  the  restaurant,  the 
mother  cooked,  and  the  daughter  “ waited  and  tended.” 
The  girl  had  been  two  quarters  at  an  academy,  read  the 


BLUR  OF  IMPERTINENCE, 


227 


Atlantic  Monthly,,  and  was  as  ‘‘good  as  anybody.” 
The  merchant  had  been  served  by  Germans,  Swedes,  and 
Dutch,  by  Jew  and  Christian  ; by  black  waiters  and 
by  white.  This  was  a new  experience,  being  served  by 
a New  England  young  woman.  She  stood  stijff  as  a 
broom-stick,  saying  nothing,  waiting  for  orders.  “ What 
have  you  got?”  “There’s  the  bill  of  fare.”  “Can  I 
have  some  hard-boiled  eggs  ?”  “I  'presume  you  can.” 
“ Have  you  nice  coffee  ?”  “You  must  judge  for  your- 
self. ” “ Are  your  pies  fresh  ?”  “We  don’ t bake  old  pies 
here.”  She  got  her  order  and  walked  away  the  worst- 
used  girl  in  the  State.  She  was  a simpleton  ; having 
volunteered  the  work  she  should  have  done  it  cheer- 
fully. 

PoETER,  of  the  Fall  Piver  line,  is  the  most  popular 
conductor  in  Massachusetts.  He  is  known  the  country 
over  for  his  civility.  For  twenty  years  he  has  run  the 
steamboat  train  from  Fall  River  to  Boston.  He  began 
life  as  a brakeman  on  a freight  train  in  Vermont.  He 
came  to  Fall  River  and  took  the  same  position  on  the 
line.  He  soon  became  conductor  of  a freight  train. 
When  his  value  was  found  out,  he  was  put  upon  the 
passenger  train.  Women  and  children  are  put  in  his 
care,  and  are  as  well  cared  for  as  if  the  husband  and 
father  had  been  along.  He  is  x'>i*ouipt,  civil,  intelli- 
gent ; he  has  a civil  word  for  everybody ; he  never 
tires  answering  questions,  and  answers  the  last  man 
as  civilly  as  the  first  one.  He  is  as  important  a part  of 
the  Fall  River  line  as  the  steamer  Bristol. 

A gentleman  went  into  a well-known  store  on  Beek- 
man  street,  to  look  at  some  garden  vases.  The  clerk 
was  reading  a paper.  The  price  of  the  vases  was 
asked.  The  clerk,  without  looking  up,  pertly  replied  : 
“ Look  on  the  card  and  you’ll  see.”  The  man  did  not 


228 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


look  on  the  card,  but  walked  out  of  the  store,  and 
bought  his  goods  elsewhere. 

A hairdresser  in  one  of  the  principal  hotels  had  an 
assistant  who  made  himself  very  unpopular.  He  was 
a good  shaver,  and  artistic  in  hair-cutting,  yet  nobody 
wanted  him.  It  turned  out  that  the  fellow  had  a cate- 
chism for  every  customer  : ‘‘  Who  shaved  you  ? Shave 
yourself?  Your  hair’s  thin!  Have  a bottle  of  sage 
tea,  bring  your  hair  all  out  ? Shampoo  ? Take  a 
bath  ?”  If  no  attention  was  paid  to  this  gabble,  the  man 
had  a way  of  giving  the  head  a twist,  for  admonition. 


LXXXVIII. 

BUSINESS  FOB  WOMEX. 

HERE  is  no  law  human  or  divine  that  pro- 
hibits a woman  from  doing  anything  that 
she  is  competent  to  do.  According  to  the 
Bible,  she  has  been  priestess,  lawyer,  doctor, 
ruler,  warrior,  judge,  navigator,  horticulturist,  trader, 
author,  poet  and  sculptor.  There  are  two  domains  in 
life.  W Oman  can  take  her  choice,  but  she  can’ t occupy 
both.  She  can’t  select  what  is  nice  and  delicate  in 
woman  and  what  is  delicate  in  man.  H she  takes  a 
man’s  place  she  must  do  a man’s  work,  and  rough  it 
like  a man.  She  must  train,  be  on  the  police,  run  with 
the  engine  and  stand  up  in  the  cars.  If  she  is  success- 
ful, it  will  not  be  because  she  is  a woman,  but  because 
she  does  well  what  she  does.  If  she  is  an  eloquent 


BUSINESS  FOR  WOMEN 


229 


preacher,  she  will  have  hearers ; learned  in  the  law, 
she  will  have  clients ; a skillful  doctor,  she  will  have 
patients.  So  she  will  have  contracts  if  she  knows  how 
to  paint,  builds  well,  and  is  good  at  speculation. 

The  Queen  of  England  is  one  of  the  best  business 
women  in  the  kingdom ; every  inch  a queen  ; an  ac- 
complished house-keeper ; a great  economist,  who 
knows  how  to  get  a shilling’s  worth  of  goods  for  a 
shilling’s  worth  of  money.  She  is  said  to  higgle  with 
her  butcher,  and  knows  what  the  green-grocer  leaves  at 
the  castle.  I heard  a debate  in  the  home  department  of 
the  castle  whether  a curtain  should  be  mended  or  a 
new  one  put  up.  Economy  carried  the  day.  An 
American  Bridget  would  not  have  had  the  curtain  up 
in  her  room  any  way.  The  Royal  children  were  all 
trained  to  a trade.  The  Prince  of  Wales  is  a good 
mechanic.  The  Royal  Alfred  can  wear  his  ship  in  a 
gale.  The  Princess  Royal  is  one  of  the  best  house- 
keepers in  Germany.  The  Princess  Louise  is  an  ad- 
mirable sculx)tor.  All  the  girls  can  sew,  mend,  brew  and 
bake.  The  Queen  knows  what  her  ministers  are  about. 
She  signs  no  papers  that  she  does  not  read.  She  does 
up  her  immense  personal  correspondence  daily  before 
breakfast. 

Maetha  WASHmaTO^fiT  was  a business  woman.  She 
spent  her  winters  in  the  camp  during  the  war  ; not  in 
idleness,  but  rendering  efficient  services.  Besides  her 
domestic  talent,  her  ability  to  take  care  of  the  stock, 
to  sell  the  crop  and  run  the  farm  at  Mt.  Vernon, 
in  elegance  and  grace  she  was  every  inch  a queen 
at  her  levees.  Lucy  Knox  was  the  daughter  of  the 
Provisional  Secretary.  She  took  sides  with  the 
Revolution  when  it  broke  out,  and  fled  from  her 
father’s  home,  sewing  up  her  husband’s  sword  in  her 


230 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


cloak.  Elizabeth  Endicott  heard  the  guns  at  Bunker 
Hill.  In  front  of  her  house  she  saw  a troop  of  soldiers 
loitering  in  the  tavern.  In  her  night-dress,  with  her 
hair  falling  over  her  shoulders,  she  presented  herself 
to  the  astonished  soldiers,  who  thought  her  a spirit, 
and  shouted,  ‘‘Why  on  earth  don’t  you  march?  Don’t 
you  hear  the  guns  at  Charlestown?”  The  affrighted 
men  tied,  and  gave  a good  account  of  themselves  in  the 
day’s  conflict. 

Sixty  miles  out  at  sea  is  a tufted  sandbank.  On  it 
lived  a young  lady  celebrated  for  her  domestic  virtues. 
She  was  a friend  of  children,  and  kept  a little  arsenal 
to  repair  mutilated  whips,  tops  and  dolls.  By  day  she 
took  the  burdens  from  an  invalid  mother.  By  night 
she  assisted  her  father,  sweeping  the  heavens  with  her 
glass.  The  King  of  Denmark  offered  a prize  of  a gold 
medal.  Nobles  and  scholars  contended  for  it.  The 
island  maiden  bore  away  the  gift  from  unwilling 
hands. 

A YOUNG  girl  came  from  the  banks  of  the  Merrimac  ‘ 
and  offered  herself  as  a missionary  to  India.  The  mis- 
sion cause  was  less  popular  then  than  now.  It  was  de- 
nounced as  an  outrage  that  a young  girl  should  be  sent 
to  the  heathen.  She  was  accepted,  notwithstanding.  She 
did  her  life-work  on  heathen  ground,  and  was  buried 
among  the  women  she  sought  to  save.  Her  monument 
— an  opia  tree — is  honored  in  all  the  world.  Shipmas- 
ters of  all  nations  dip  their  flags  when  they  pass  it. 


DETECTIVES  AT  WORK. 


231 


LXXXIX, 

DETECTIVES  AT  WORK. 

network  of  detective  influence  covers  a 
great  city.  It  is  one  of  the  most  efiicient 
systems  in  the  land.  Its  meshes  spread 

^ everywhere.  Bank  clerks  and  salesmen  are 

shadowed  for  weeks  without  their  knowing  it.  A per- 
fect chart  of  a man’s  life  is  written  out,  and  he  has  not 
the  slightest  idea  he  is  suspected.  It  is  a lever  of  great 
power  in  the  hands  of  jealous  men  and  maddened 
women.  Men  who  rank  high  in  commercial  and  social 
life  often  maintain  two  or  three  establishments.  The 
surrogate’s  court  shows  the  saddest  side  of  city  life. 
Two,  three,  and  often  four  women,  quarrel  over  a dead 
man’s  property,  each  claiming  it.  It  costs  monej^  to 
run  two  or  three  houses,  and  this  is  indispensable  to 
avoid  exposure.  A clerk  runs  away  with  his  master’s 
money ; cashier  uses  bonds  intrusted  to  his  keeping ; 
man  of  fifty  soils  the  fame  he  has  been  twenty-five 
years  in  earning.  Heavy  houses  come  down  with  a 
crash,  and  detectives  alone  can  tell  the  cause.  The  life 
of  a detective  is  full  of  romance,  as  a single  instance 
will  show. 

A woman,  fifty  years  old,  the  wife  of  a merchant, 
was  invited  to  call  upon  her  doctor.  The  doctor  had 
an  unpleasant  duty  to  perform.  Her  husband  was 
alienated  from  her,  and  would  live  with  her  no  more. 
He  would  provide  handsomely  for  her,  and  with  that 
she  must  be  content.  The  blow  felled  her  to  the  floor,, 
and  it  was  weeks  before  she  recovered  her  reason. 
The  wife  knew  that  there  was  a woman  in  the  case,  and 


332 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


she  resolved  to  break  the  infatuation.  She  called  in  a 
detective,  and  placed  the  whole  matter  in  his  hands. 

In  a short  time  the  detective  had  the  whole  matter 
within  his  grasp.  The  woman  was  a rich  widow  with 
large  possessions  in  Virginia.  The  merchant  gave  her 
a fine  house,  furnished  from  cellar  to  garret,  dressed 
her  in  silks  and  sables,  and  footed  all  her  bills.  The 
detective  believed  the  widow  to  be  a fraud.  She  kept 
boarders,  and  prominent  among  them  was  the  husband 
of  her  sister.  The  detective  put  a shadow  in  the  house, 
and  kept  a run  of  matters.  The  merchant  had  to  draw 
heavily  upon  his  firm,  and  was  nearly  ruined.  A new 
call  was  made;  the  widow  wanted  a coupe,  a set  of 
diamonds  for  Christmas,  and  money  for  her  sister’s 
husband. 

One  morning  a stranger  called  upon  the  merchant 
and  wanted  to  show  him  a fine  turnout.  He  seemed  to 
know  all  about  the  merchant’s  business,  and  what  he 
wanted.  A little  startled  and  a little  curious  they 
jumped  into  a carriage,  and  drove  to  a well-known  up- 
town hotel.  Here  he  was  brought  face  to  face  with  his 
wife,  whom  he  had  not  seen  fof  months.  The  widow 
was  unmasked  and  her  crimes  laid  bare ; he  saw  how 
his  money  went,  and  that  he  was  the  laughing-stock  of 
the  street.  The  infatuation  was  at  an  end — the  man 
proposed  to  denounce  the  woman  and  forsake  her. 
The  cool  detective  had  other  plans  laid — he  invited  the 
widow  to  meet  a friend  at  a well-known  trysting-place 
to  look  at  some  diamonds  and  a coupe,  urging  her  to 
remain  from  eleven  to  one  in  case  business  should  de- 
tain the  merchant.  The  woman  was  promptlj^  on  hand. 
She  had  hardly  left  the  door  before  a number  of  vans 
drove  up,  attended  by  a small  army  of  men.  The 
house  was  riddled  in  an  hour  ; Parisian  furniture,  stat- 
uary and  pictures,  silverware  and  damask  curtains, 
Moquet  carpets,  and  wines  disappeared.  The  widow 


SUSAJY  A.  KING. 


233 


waited  half  the  afternoon,  and  came  back  in  a fury. 
The  bell  was  answered  by  the  detective,  who  said  to 
the  astonished  woman,  “Your  game  is  up.  This  house 
is  empty — you  have  no  rights  here.  But,  mark,  don’t 
annoy  the  merchant ; keep  away  from  the  store  ; don’t 
send  any  notes  to  the  family  or  to  the  house,  or  I will 
pull  you  for  your  past  crimes.”  The  infatuation  and 
the  blackmailing  were  both  at  an  end. 


XC. 

SUSAN  A.  KING. 

ISS  KING  is  one  of  the  best  business  women 
in  New  York.  From  poverty  she  has 
worked  herself  up  to  the  position  of  a mil- 
lionaire. As  a trader,  she  is  keen,  judicious 
and  successful.  Some  of  her  speculations,  which 
would  have  ruined  most  operators,  have  yielded  her 
thousands  in  profit.  Her  success  grows  out  of  her 
methods  of  management.  The  trustees  of  the  Union 
Theological  Seminary  comprise  some  of  the  most  emi- 
nent business  men  in  the  State.  Miss  King  sold  to 
these  gentlemen,  at  an  enormous  profit,  a piece  of  land 
for  the  new  building,  for  a price  that  no  other  specula- 
tor could  have  obtained.  Miss  King  is  about  fifty 
years  of  age.  She  is  of  medium  height,  with  features 
very  plain,  but  marked.  Without  any  style,  dressing 
' plain  as  a washerwoman,  holding  in  contempt  the  fem- 
inine graces,  wearing  her  hair  with  a careless  twist 
fastened  behind  in  a knot.  She  is  a fluent  talker  and 


234 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


coins  money  with  her  tongue.  She  could  outargue  the 
schoolmaster,  and  defend  her  views  anywhere. 

Miss  King  was  born  in  Maine.  Her  childhood  was 
a rough  one.  She  caught  a little  schooling  here  and 
there,  but  her  young  life  was  doomed  to  hard  toil.  In 
the  parlance  of  the  village,  she  w^as  old  King’s  daugh- 
ter. When  a child  she  did  a woman’s  work.  She  was 
called  up  before  light  in  the  winter,  and  waded  through 
the  deep  snow  to  the  woodpile,  and  kindled  her  tires 
with  green  brush.  Beside  being  a poor  farmer,  her 
father  was  a drover.  The  girl  had  a knack  for  trading, 
and  often  tramped  with  her  father  from  place  to  place. 
She  showed  great  tact  at  a bargain.  She  was  not  so 
engrossed  in  trade  as  not  to  know  the  value  of  an  edu- 
cation. Algebra  and  the  higher  mathematics  had  a 
charm,  but  they  were  denied  to  her.  The  pampered 
school  children  asked,  ‘ ‘ What  does  old  King’ s daugh- 
ter want  of  algebra 

The  girl  did  not  propose  to  be  a drudge  all  her 
days.  As  her  relatives  would  do  nothing  for  her  she 
undertook  to  do  something  for  herself.  She  found  her 
way  to  Kew  York  with  a few  shillings  in  her  pocket, 
and  a guitar  in  her  hand.  She  r-esorted  to  all  sorts  of 
expedients  to  live,  doing  no  dishonorable  thing,  and 
nevor  running  into  debt.  Miss  King  threw  a little 
light  upon  her  early  conflicts  when  she  said  a loafing 
acquaintance  who  wished  to  borrow  money:  ‘‘Go  to 
work  and  not  be  loafing  around  here.  What  would  I 
do  if  I hadn’ t any  money  ? I would  do  the  dirtiest 
honest  work  in  New  York.  When  I had  earned 
twenty-five  cents  I would  invest  in  peanuts  and  sell 
them  at  the  corners  of  the  street — sleep  on  bare  boards 
— live  on  bread  and  water  till  I earned  something 
better.”  Susan’s  guitar  stood  her  in  good  stead.  She 
got  pujjils  by  it,  opened  a school  and  earned  money 
enough  to  trade  with.  With  her,  employment  was  to 


SUSA]:^  A.  KING. 


235 


get  money.  Her  friends  were  alarmed  at  lier  course. 
They  predicted  that  a girl  that  was  tramping  around 
New  York  selling  small  wares  would  come  to  no  good 
end.  Every  step  in  trade  was  an  upward  one.  In 
1859  she  had  her  agents  with  wagons  and  horses  selling 
goods,  East,  West  and  South. 

The  bowlings  of  civil  war  were  heard  on  ever}-  hand, 
Miss  King  bade  her  little  company  scamper  North. 
Before  she  could  dispose  of  her  pro]3erty  the  conflict 
began.  She  sold  everything  she  could  sell,  belted  her 
gold  round  her  waist,  and  started  homeward.  She  was 
arrested  over  and  over  again.  She  was  quick-witted, 
and  made  the  best  of  the  situation.  She  talked  treason 
with  traitors,  was  a rebel  with  graybacks,  and  with 
two  or  three  thousand  dollars’  worth  of  gold  on  her 
person  she  arrived  safely  in  New  York.  This  money 
she  wisely  invested,  and  the  conflict  which  seemed  to 
ruin  her  financially  laid  the  foundations  for  immense 
wealth. 

Miss  King  is  a great  friend  to  women.  She  spends 
no  time  in  talking  or  depicting  on  platforms  Woman’s 
Wrongs.  She  looked  round  to  see  if  anything  could 
be  done  to  give  women  remunerative  employment — 
work  that  should  be  light  and  profitable.  Banking 
was  thought  of,  but  that  was  too  complicated.  Life  in- 
surance was  impracticable.  The  founding  of  a W oman’ s 
Tea  Company  was  resolved  upon.  Its  success  would 
dexjend  upon  the  brand  of  tea.  To  select  this.  Miss 
King  must  visit  China.  She  had  no  adviser,  associate, 
patron,  or  friend.  She  had  money  and  good  common 
sense.  Against  the  protest  of  the  officials,  British  and 
American,  Miss  King  mapped  out  an  excursion  into 
the  interior  of  China  ; where  no  white  person  had  ever 
gone  except  two  Jesuits,  and  they  were  killed.  The 
Chinese  authorities  could  not  protect  her,  and  the 
American  consul  washed  his  hands  of  the  conse- 


236 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


quences.  Miss  King  asked  no  favors  ; ske  took  a 
chair  and  some  coolies,  and  proposed  to  be  responsible 
for  the  rest.  She  took  her  perilous  Journey  alone,  and 
without  harm.  She  dressed  like  a Chinese ; chow- 
chowed  with  the  natives  ; burned  sticks  in  the  Joss 
houses,  saluted  the  gods  with  fire- crackers,  ate 
monkey,  rabbits,  rats,  or  whatever  was  set  before  her, 
climbed  up  the  sacred  eight-story  Pagoda,  looked 
down  upon  the  seething  crowd,  shouted  hurrah  ! and 
received  the  assuring  response  : Hi-lii  ! Miss  King  re- 
turned safe  to  her  native  shores,  having  accomplished 
the  aim  of  her  visit.  Many  of  her  early  acquaintances 
who  treated  her  with  scorn  and  contempt  are  very 
glad  to  make  her  acquaintance  and  borrow  her  money. 
She  led  the  Midnight  Mission  movement,  founded  the 
Home  for  Old  Ladies,  and  lent  a helping  hand  to  re- 
lieve want  and  sorrow  everywhere. 


XCI. 

W.  A.  FRITS. 

HIS  gentleman  is  famous  as  being  the  succes- 
sor of  the  Stuarts  in  the  manufacture  and 
sale  of  pure  candies.  From  1806  to  1853  the 
Stuarts,  father  and  sons,  were  the  great 
candy-makers  of  the  nation.  No  house  had  a humbler 
beginning.  It  was  not  proposed  that  the  boys  should  be 
candy-makers.  Robert  went  into  a dry-goods  house  ; 
he  was  not  then  Robert  L.  Alexander  was  born  on  the 
spot  where  he  now  lives  in  Chambers  street.  He  took  to 


W.  A.  FRITS. 


237 


sign  painting.  There  is  now  a sign  in  lower  New  York 
still  in  existence  which  Alexander  painted.  He  had 
such  a love  for  the  brush  that  long  after  the  business 
was  large,  he  sat  on  a little  stool  made  for  the  purpose 
and  marked  the  boxes  for  candy  in  an  artistic  manner. 

The  firm  of  Ridley  & Co.  was  made  up  of  Robert 
A.  Ridley,  Wm.  Kennedy,  W.  A.  Frits,  Wm.  Force, 
all  old  employees  of  the  Stuarts.  As  the  Stuarts  were 
to  abandon  the  manufacture  of  candy,  and  these  men 
had  made  all  the  candy  for  years,  they  proposed  to 
take  the  business  into  their  hands.  The  principle 
adopted  by  the  firm  was  to  manufacture  pure  candy, 
to  buy  the  iDurest  materials,  sugars,  colors,  flavors, 
without  regard  to  cost,  and  to  make  nothing  and  to  sell 
nothing  but  the  purest  and  best  article  that  could  be 
made.  For  a quarter  of  a century  this  rule  has  been 
adhered  to.  The  good  name  of  the  house  has  never 
suffered,  and  the  Ridley  candy  is  known  and  used  in 
the  four  quarters  of  the  globe.  Adulteration  is  a com- 
mon trade  in  New  York.  Everything  is  adulterated. 
Food,  coffee,  spices,  and  candy.  Science  aids  in  pro- 
moting the  frauds  in  trade.  Cheap  mustard  is  made 
out  of  yellow  ochre,  poor  red  pepjoer  and  terra-alba. 
Pepper,  mace,  allspice,  and  cloves  are  made  from 
maggotty  shipbread  and  impure  ingredients.  There  is 
scarcely  a spice  or  a flavor  that  is  not  adulterated,  and 
the  vilest  stuff  imaginable  is  sold  by  the  ton. 

The  candy  of  commerce  is  more  than  anything  else 
adulterated.  There  is  an  immense  trade  in  this  impure 
manufacture.  It  ranks  with  mock  auctions,  counter- 
feit diamonds,  sham  jewelry,  and  shoddy  cloth.  * One 
hundred  pounds  of  impure  candy  is  sold  to  one  x)ound 
of  sugar  candy.  A box  of  candy  of  commerce  con- 
tains poison  enough  to  kill  an  ox,  and  that  which  is 
not  poisonous  is  too  filthy  to  be  eaten.  Terra-alba, 
which  takes  the  place  of  sugar,  is  an  Irish  earth  with  a 


238 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


peculiar  grain.  With  this  dust  is  mixed,  turpentine, 
coal-dust,  lampblack,  blacking,  fusil  oil,  prussic  acid 
and  glue.  These  materials  are  worked  up  into  candy, 
sugar-plums,  gum-drops,  and  chocolate  cream.  The 
refuse  of  slaughter-houses  is  used,  and  butchers  notify 
their  customers  when  they  have  a barrel  sufficiently 
filthy.  Young  veal — the  younger  the  better— takes  the 
place  of  gelatine ; prussic  acid  for  almonds ; poison- 
ous pear-drops  for  peach  ; rotten  cheese  and  sulphuric 
acid  for  apple,  and  tonka  bean  for  vanilla. 

A favorite  brand  of  sugar  for  adulterated  candy  is 
known  as  ship  sugar.  This  is  a sweeping  from  the  hold 
and  deck  of  a vessel,  moistened  with  bilge  water.  These 
sweepings  are  so  profitable  that  lawsuits  have  arisen 
with  regard  to  the  division  of  the  profits.  A pound  of 
ship  sugar  mingled  with  four  pounds  of  Irish  earth 
yields  five  pounds  of  cheap  candy.  The  coloring  of 
adulterated  candy  is  often  poisonous,  red  lead,  aniline, 
and  other  equally  pernicious  matter  being  used.  Cheap 
chocolate  cream  is  often  made  of  tallow,  coal-tar,  a 
thin  layer  of  chocolate,  with  flavoring  to  suit.  The 
great  market  for  adulterated  candy  is  the  West  and 
South.  Men  who  buy  it  know  what  they  are  doing. 
They  know  that  they  are  not  buying  sugar  candy,  gum 
arabic,  liquorice  and  genuine  oil.  They  buy  Irish  dirt, 
ship  sugar,  lampblack,  fusil  oil,  red  lead,  rotten  cheese 
and  the  refuse  of  slaughter-houses. 

Against  this  style  of  business  Eidley  & Co.  have 
placed  the  mahufacture  of  pure  confectionery,  running 
over  a score  of  years.  Not  a house  stands  to-day  that 
manufactures  adulterated  candy  that  was  in  existence 
when  that  of  Ridley  started.  The  fame  of  the  Ridley 
candy  has  crossed  the  seas.  The  Honorable  Mrs. 
Bates  received  from  the  Barings  a box  of  Ridley’s  hore- 
hound  candy.  Visiting  the  Duchess  of  Sutherland, 
she  found  her  ladyship  suffering  with  a cold.  She 


BREACH  OF  TRUST. 


239 


sent  her  a package  of  candy.  This  package  the  Duch- 
ess divided  with' Her  Majesty,  who  was  also  afflicted 
with  a cough.  She  obtained  such  relief  that  the  Queen 
ordered  through  Brown  & Bro.  a hundredweight  of 
the  candy.  This  order  was  annually  renewed  for  a 
series  of  years.  N^ow  De  Castro  in  the  Strand,  grocers 
to  the  Queen,  keep  a supply  on  hand  for  use  at  the  cas- 
tle and  the  Royal  family. 


XCII. 

BREACH  OF  TRUST. 

ORE  business  men  are  ruined  by  breaches  of 
trust  than  by  downright  dishonesty.  It  is  the 
stepping-stone  to  embezzlement  and  crime. 
It  is  a snare  set  in  sight  of  the  bird.  Men 
who  would  not  steal  a dollar  or  put  wrongfully  a shil- 
ling into  their  pocket,  will  betray  their  trust.  Men  in 
charge  of  public  funds  will  allow  them  to  go  on  the 
street  under  solemn  promise  of  making  the  loan 
good.  The  little  pittance  of  widows  and  orphans  is 
squandered  in  wild  speculations  because  men  are  not 
faithful  to  their  stewardship. 

A man  wants  an  office.  There  is  a great  deal  of 
money  to  be  handled,  and  he  must  have  bondsmen. 
Bondsmen  are  ready,  for  they  expect  to  use  their  vic- 
tim. The  official  means  to  do  right.  The  wily  bonds- 
man watches  his  opx)ortunity.  He  pours  a fine  tale  into 
the  ear  of  the  confiding  treasurer  : “We  have  got  the 
best  thing  out ; we  want  a few  thousands ; you  have 


240 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


money  lying  idle  ; yon  may  as  well  turn  it ; you  shall 
fare  as  well  as  the  rest  of  us  ; the  security  is  ample ; 
the  payment  certain  ; the  gain  large.”  If  the  hope  of 
gain  does  not  answer,  then  a threat  is  tried  : ‘‘  Others 
accommodate  us  and  you  must,  or  we  shall  take  our. 
name  from  your  bond,  and  then  where  are  you?”  The 
timid  fool  yields,  and  loans  a small  sum.  Demands  are 
frequent  and  the  sums  larger.  The  man  is  at  the  mercy 
of  sharpers.  His  moral  force  is  gone.  He  lies,  falsi- 
fies ; lives  on  his  nerves ; spends  his  nights  over  his 
accounts,  and  finally  flees  the  country  of  goes  to  State 
prison.  All  this  without  a cent’s  advantage  to  himself. 
Honest  men  often  betray  their  trust  by  loaning  their 
names  to  sharpers  and  upholding  fraudulent  institu- 
tions and  bogus  corporations.  Their  names  are  wanted 
as  decoys.  They  are  directors  in  institutions  which 
are  run  by  mere  boys,  and  they  have  no  more  idea  of 
the  soundness  of  the  institution  or  the  principles  upon 
which  it  is  run,  than  they  have  of  the  Bank  of  Kams- 
catka.  By  the  aid  of  famous  names  men  handle  thou- 
sands whom  their  acquaintances  would  not  trust  with 
ten  dollars.  Business  men  wake  up  some  fine  morning 
and  find  that  an  official  is  on  his  way  to  Europe ; a 
cashier  has  taken  the  entire  funds  of  a savings  bank 
and  departed,  and  a trust  company,  “sound  as  the 
government,”  has  gone  down  with  a crash,  ruining 
thousands.  In  each  case  the  list  of  directors  was  long 
enough  and  honorable  enough,  but  the  men  paid  no  at- 
tention to  their  duties  ; did  not  intend  to  do  so  when 
they  were  appointed. 

The  State  of  Maine  elected  a treasurer.  He  was 
a clergyman,  but  not  in  charge  of  any  church.  He 
was  a great  reformer,  and  his  repute  was  like  gold 
tried  in  the  fire.  He  had  not  been  in  office  a year  be- 
fore he  was  removed  and  removed  because  he  misused 


BREAGE  OF  TRUST. 


241 


the  funds  of  the  State.  For  his  own  use  he  would  not 
have  abstracted  a copper.  His  bondsmen  used  the 
money.  Politicians  speculated  with  the  public  funds, 
and  left  worthless  collaterals  as  security.  The  man 
was  as  much  of  a wreck  as  though  he  had  stolen  for 
his  own  use  fifty  thousand  dollars.  In  twelve  months 
he  threw  away  the  reputation  of  a life. 

The  Treasurer  of  the  American  Board  held  his 
position  for  years.  He  conducted^  its  financial  affairs 
with  consummate  prudence  and  skill.  The  drafts  of  the 
Board  were  honored  in  all  parts  of  the  world.  He  re- 
signed, without  a stain  upon  his  repute.  He  opened  a 
banking-house,  and  had  the  confidence  of  the  religious 
world.  Trust  moneys  were  jiut  into  his  hand.  The 
savings  of  a lifetime  were  given  to  him  for  safe- 
keeping. Missionaries  abroad  and  poor  preachers  at 
home  were  only  too  thankful  that  in  such  honest  hands 
their  gains  were  lodged.  Seamstresses  and  girls  out 
at  service  put  into  the  house  their  slender  sav- 
ings. The  treasurer  was  honest  enough.  IN’ot  so 
a relative  who  ran  the  business.  He  used  the  funds 
on  deposit  with  the  wildest  kind  of  speculation.  The 
house  came  down,  carrying  ruin  and  dismay  on  all 
sides.  The  crime  of  the  treasurer  was  a breach  of 
trust — taking  money  he  did  not  intend  to  guard. 

A young  man  rose  very  high  in  a Boston  Bank, 
through  his  integrity  and  ability.  The  trait  which 
distinguished  him  from  childhood  was  truthfulness. 
One  morning  the  bank  was  not  open.  The  facts  came 
out  that  the  cashier  was  a defaulter,  and  had  run  away 
during  the  night.  The  sum  lost  to  the  bank  was  a very 
large  one,  yet  the  cashier  was  not  one  dollar  the  richer. 
It  was  the  old  story  of  a breach  of  trust, — infiuential 
men  tempted  him,  bank  officials  got  loans  on  bogus 
16 


243 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


security.  He  was  kej)t  under  the  harrow  for  years, 
with  exposure  hourly  staring  him  in  the  face.  Expo- 
sure came  at  last,  with  the  loss  of  everything,  with,  the 
ruin  of  all  his  friends,  with  death  in  a mad  house. 

A man  of  EMmENT  financial  ability  was  president 
of  an  important  bank.  He  was  one  of  the  most  infiu- 
ential  men  in  the  State.  His  integrity  was  Avithout  a 
stain.  The  business  community  was  shocked  to  learn 
that  the  directors  had  demanded  his  resignation,  and 
that  the  bank  examiners  were  overhauling  his  affairs. 
The  president  had  placed  to  his  oAvn  account  tAA^elve 
thousand  dollars  for  speculative  purposes.  The  bank 
could  lose  nothing,  for  the  security  was  ample.  But 
the  act  was  an  indiscretion  which  could  not  be  over- 
looked— in  other  words,  he  Avas  guilty  of  a breach  of 
trust.  From  the  consequences  of  that  act  he  never 
recovered. 


XCIII. 

ISAAC  HALL,  IRON  MERCHANT. 

R.  HALL  is  an  iron  merchant,  dealing  jjrinci- 
pally  in  chains  and  cables.  For  thirty  years 
he  has  done  business  upon  the  same  spot. 
He  is  a man  of  fine  presence,  with  a stature 
that  attracts  attention,  and  is  a cool,  persistent,  intelli- 
gent and  successful  business  man.  He  is  descended 
from  the  English  Friends,  and  inherited  little  except 
a healthy  constitution  and  a steady  determination 
to  do  right.  He  took  his  first  lesson  in  self-control 


ISAAC  UALL,  IRON  MERCHANT, 


243 


when  a lad.  He  was  at  work  on  a farm,  and  was 
ordered  to  clear  up  the  brush.  He  gathered  the  stud 
around  a stump  and  set  it  on  lire.  A high  wind 
spread  the  conflagration  on  all  sides,  and  as  he  looked 
upon  the  devastation,  he  firmly  resolved  never  again 
to  act  from  impulse.  He  was  a resolute,  painstaking 
lad,  hard- worked  and  poorly-paid.  He  was  self-reliant, 
and  sold  berries  from  the  blueberry  patch,  and  snared 
rabbits,  with  which  he  bought  his  toys  and  his  clothes. 

He  resided  in  Hudson,  and  the  city  at  that  time 
was  heavy  in  the  whale  fishery.  Ships  were  fitted  out 
every  year  for  the  Pacific.  Isaac  was  fascinated  with 
the  work  of  a blacksmith.  The  glaring  forge  and  the 
ringing  anvil  filled  him  with  delight,  and  he  resolved 
to  learn  the  trade.  After  the  order  of  the  day  he  was 
bound  out  at  a salary  of  thirty-five  dollars  a year. 
He  was  over- worked,  under-fed  and  shamefully  treated. 
Yet  he  carefully  hoarded  his  little  gains.  When  he 
was  free  his  master  owed  him  one  hundred  dollars. 
This  he  refused  to  pay,  api^lying  it  to  an  old  debt  due 
from  Isaac’s  father.  He  found  work  in  Hew  York  in 
1838,  and  went  at  it  steadily  and  prudently.  Year  by 
year  he  laid  up  a little  money  and  was  enabled  to  set 
up  business  for  himself.  He  found  the  work  of  the 
shipsmith  very  profitable,  but  an  accident  opened  to 
him  a new  field  of  wealth.  A Chinese  junk  was 
moored  off  the  Battery.  Her  ground  tackle  was  wood, 
her  anchor,  teek,  her  cables  rattan.  This  rigging  was 
not  suitable  for  our  w^aters,  and  Mr.  Hall  was  ai^plied 
to  to  furnish  anchors  and  chains.  He  saw  a profit  in 
this,  and  added  cables  and  anchors  to  his  regular  busi- 
ness. He  can  now  furnish  a vessel  of  any  tonnage  at 
a moments’  notice.  He  had  adroitness  enough  to  make 
friends  with  the  cori^oration  and  he  covers  the  side- 
walk and  the  highway  with  his  stock. 

Mr.  Hall  was  appointed  Healthmaster  and  Hock 


244 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Warden  in  1843.  He  liad  ample  opportunity  to  make 
money  by  levying  tributes  on  the  captains,  as  was  the 
custom.  He  refused  to  extort  money  from  any  one, 
and  never  charged  anything  beyond  the  legal  fees. 
He  had  ample  opportunity  for  speculation.  He  had 
early  notice  of  improvements  which  the  city  proposed 
to  make.  He  refused  to  enter  the  seductive  helds  of 
speculation,  and  chose  rather  to  beat  out  a fortune  on 
his  own  anvil.  His  principles  forbid  over-reaching  or 
taking  advantage  of  any  man’s  necessity.  He  acquired 
a large  fortune  by  industry,  probity,  and  liberality. 
His  celebrated  baths  at  the  Battery  were  opened  in 
1857.  For  extent  and  thoroughness  they  ‘have  no 
equal.  Draped  with  flags,  pendants  and  bunting,  they 
give  a gala-day  appearance  to  the  Battery,  and  are  a 
popular  resort  of  the  citizens  of  New  York. 

Mr.  Hall  has  the  rare  gift  of  making  his  mistakes 
benefit  him.  tie  never  but  once  burnt  up  a farm  ; no 
man  but  his  master  has  been  able  to  cheat  him  out  of 
his  wages  ; and  once  was  enough  for  him  to  pay  with 
his  earnings  other  peoples’  debts.  He  was  frank  and 
manly  as  a boy.  Tired  of  turning  the  grindstone,  he 
run  off  the  handle  and  sold  it.  He  did  not  sleep  well 
that  night.  The  next  morning  he  confessed  his  wrong, 
repurchased  the  handle,  and  put  it  back  in  its  place. 
Mr.  Hall  owns  his  own  stock,  buys  for  cash,  and  can- 
not be  undersold.  His  long  and  unvarying  success 
established  the  fact  that  it  is  profitable  to  sell  honest 
goods  at  an  honest  price.  Mr.  Hall  has  an  elegant 
home  on  the  Heights,  where  he  dispenses  a liberal 
hospitality,  and  devotes  his  fortune  in  aid  of  the 
benevolent  and  religious  charities  of  the  age. 


POWERS,  OF  THE  GRAND  CENTRAL. 


245 


XCIY. 

POWERS,  ‘OF  THE  GRAND  CENTRAL. 

LLIS  L.  POWERS  is  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful hotel-keepers  of  New  A^ork.  The 
Grand  Central  was  constructed  from  his  own 
plans,  and  is  admitted  to  be  one  of  the  most 
commodious  and  elegant  in  the  State.  Hotel-keeping 
is  an  uncertain  trade.  It  is  like  editing  a newspaper, — 
every  man  thinks  he  can  do  it,  but  only  one  here  and 
there  makes  a success  at  it.  Taking  the  last  fifty  years, 
only  about  ten  out  of  a hundred  have  escaped  ship- 
wreck in  the  hotel  line.  Boys  inherit  the  hotel,  but 
do  not  inherit  their  father's  character  or  cajjacity. 
Young  Powers  was  born  in  Vermont,  and  he  left  home 
to  secure  emj)loyment.  He  found  it  in  the  United 
States  Hotel  in  Boston,  where  he  began  life  as  a hall- 
boy.  He  was  genial,  intelligent,  and  useful,  and  soon 
won  a clerkship.  He  passed  a summer  at  the  St.  Law- 
rence Hotel,  Philadelphia.  At  that  time  Mr.  Earle  was 
keeping  a small  hotel  opposite  the  Astor  House.  The 
house  was  well  run,  charges  were  moderate,  it  was 
always  full,  and  made  money.  Earle,  who  had  an  eye 
for  smart  men,  secured  young  Powers  as  an  assistant. 
He  exhibited  marked  talent  and  tact  in  hotel  life,  mak- 
ing himself  very  popular  as  room-clerk,  and  display- 
ing an  unusual  force  of  character.  He  was  prudent 
and  saving,  to  which  traits  he  joined  great  enterprise. 
He  knew  a good  bargain  when  he  saw  it,  and  made  a 
good  deal  of  money,  while  Mr.  Earle  supposed  he  was 
fully  absorbed  in  the  hotel.  He  had  the  gift  of  silence 
to  a remarkable  degree ; he  seldom  spoke,  except  in 


246 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


the  way  of  business,  had  no  confidants,  managed  his 
own  affairs,  and  kept  his  own  counsel. 

The  lease  of  the  Earle  hotel  was  a valuable  one,  and 
the  proprietor  intended  to  renew  it.  He  was  a sharp 
man,  and  did  not  wish  to  seem  anxious.  When  the 
renewal  was  offered  to  him  he  declined  to  accept  it  at 
once — jnoposed  to  consider  it,  hoping  the  rent  would 
be  lower.  Powers  saw  his  opportunity  and  followed  it 
up.  He  took  the  lease  on  the  terms  offered,  pocketed 
his  bargain,  and  went  about  his  work.  Mr.  Earle  was 
astounded  at  the  audacity  of  his  clerk  when  he  found 
what  he  had  done,  and  could  not  express  his  feelings 
when  he  found  himself  turned  out  of  doors  and  his 
silent  clerk  in  possession.  A iDractical  and  an  accom- 
plished hotel  proprietor  Powers  proved  himself  to  be, 
able  to  turn  his  hand  to  anything.  He  knew  all  the 
details  of  hotel  life.  He  soon  outgrew  the  little  tavern. 
He  looked  around  for  a position  equal  to  his  ability. 
The  Grand  Central  was  in  the  market,  though  unfin- 
ished, and  w^as  a prize  worth  taking.  The  location 
was  superb,  and  the  capacity  of  the  house  could  not 
be  excelled.  Powers  secured  a sixteen  years’  lease  and 
completed  the  house  according  to  his  own  ideas  of  ex- 
cellence and  comfort.  He  could  handle  anything  from 
the  furnace  to  the  skylight.  He  had  some  rare  traits 
for  his  position.  Elegant  in  stature  and  attractive  in 
manners,  courteous  but  decided,  a willing  listener,  but 
not  to  be  imposed  upon,  of  fine  taste,  and  one  of  the 
best  dressed  men  in  the  city.  He  had  great  command 
over  men,  seldom  speaking  to  any  one  except  on  busi- 
ness, and  holding  a personal  inspection  over  every  part 
of  the  hotel  ; a great  economist,  yet  generous  to  the 
poor,  often  filling  the  baskets  with  his  own  hands. 
His  application  to  business  was  marvelous,  and  he 
seemed  never  to  tire.  His  investments  have  been  judi- 
cious, and  he  could  if  he  would  live  on  his  fortune. 


WILD  OATS  AND  THEIR  HARVEST 


247 


His  hotel  gives  him  no  trouble,  and  in  the  wildest  ex- 
citement he  remains  as  cool  as  a general  on  a battle- 
field. 


XCY. 

WILD  OATS  AND  THEIR  HARVEST. 

YOUXGr  man  who  sows  his  wild  oats  in 
youth  often  reaps  them  in  mature  life.  A 
colonel  of  one  of  the  regiments,  who  is 
especially  cold-blooded  and  selhsli,  used  his 
regiment  for  his  own  advancement.  He  moved  his 
regiment  on  a terrific  hot  Sunday  thirt^^  miles  without 
halting,  and  had  no  compassion,  though  men  were  sun- 
struck.  To  ]3lease  gay  ladies  in  the  camj),  he  ordered 
dress-parades  under  a tropic  sun,  though  men  dropped 
down  in  the  ranks.  He  obtained  what  he  coveted — 
rank  and  position.  He  held  his  position  without  honor 
and  was  dismissed  with  heavy  charges  resting  upon 
him.  He  began  life  bad,  and  but  for  merciful  judges 
would  have  been  adjudged  criminal. 

Dyke,  a well-known  peanut  vender  on  the  Kansas 
Railroad,  was  intelligent  and  civil.  He  drove  a fine 
trade,  for  the  nuts  were  fresh  and  the  measure  large. 
One  day  he  visited  a banker  and  asked  the  loan  of  five 
dollars.  He  had  no  security.  He  wanted  to  buy  a 
paper  stand,  and  named  what  bonus  he  was  willing  to 
give.  The  banker  said:  ‘^That’s  200  per  cent.”  ‘‘I 
don’t  care,  I can  make  it.”  The  banker  made  a bar- 
gain, bought  the  stand,  and  when  the  boy  had  made 


248 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


five  dollars,  lie  transferred  it  to  him.  In  less  than  a 
" month  he  was  the  owner  of  the  stock  in  trade,  on  his 
way  to  a fortune. 

With  few  exceptions,  costly  RESTxiURANTS  and 
exorbitant  bills  of  fare  don’t  bring  a fortune.  Men 
who  make  money  out  of  hotel  keeping  have  low  prices, 
snug  rooms  which  they  keep  always  full.  In  lower 
New  York,  there  are  half  a dozen  hotels  which  have 
made  the  fortune  of  a dozen  men.  The  same  is  true  of 
eating-houses.  A popular  house,  mth  a good  run  of 
custom,  is  a fortune  to  any  man  who  can  wait.  Some 
of  these  chop-houses  are  fifty  years  old.  They  are  not 
much  to  look  at.  The  rickety,  tumble-down  ruins  are 
in  narrow  lanes.  The  seats  have  no  backs,  the  tables 
no  cloths,  and  the  only  attempt  at  ornament  is  sand  on 
the  floor.  The  keeper  waits  on  his  customers.  In  his 
white  apron,  coat  off,  he  puts  the  reeking  steak  on  the 
table.  He  stews,  fries,  and  broils.  Eminent  merchants 
stand  in  a line  from  twelve  till  one,  waiting  to  be 
served.  The  man  who  waits  upon  them  could  buy  out 
half,  and  live  on  Fifth  avenue  if  he  would. 

At  one  time  the  sux-dial  in  trade  and  honesty,  and 
even  decency,  seems  to  have  been  put  back.  A man 
with  very  marked  talent  and  audacity  came  to  the  sur- 
face. He  did  openly  what  others  do  secretly,  and 
carried  his  vices  on  his  sleeve.  He  drove  his  four-in- 
hand,  filled  with  frail  ladies,  through  the  Park  on 
Sunday  to  show  his  audacity.  He  made  money,  and 
it  Avas  nobody’s  business  what  he  did  with  it.  He 
made  a Garden  Mabille  of  Plymouth  Rock,  run  it  on 
Sundays,  and  filled  it  with  music,  dancing,  wine  and 
women.  He  imported  French  actresses  for  his  Sunday 
theater,  and  fathers  and  guardians  were  seen  around 
the  house  looking  for  their  sons.  The  man’ s end  was 


WILD  OATS  AND  THEIM  HARVEST. 


349 


tragical,  and  lie  left  behind  him  lawsuits  which  will 
last  his  widow  all  her  life. 

On  one  of  the  city  eailPwOADS  a man  rides  up 
every  morning  between  three  and  four  o’clock.  He 
dresses  well,  lives  in  style,  has  given  his  daughters  a 
fine  education,  and  has  a pew  in  a fashionable  church. 
He  is  a gambler  by  trade  and  has  followed  his  profession 
twenty-five  years.  He  has  done  what  not  one  man  in 
ten  thousand  could  do,  and  had  nerve  enough  to  follow 
a style  of  life  that  has  made  his  calling  a success.  He 
never  drinks,  for  he  must  have  his  nerves  under  perfect 
control.  He  acts  under  a perfect  system.  He  iilays 
while  he  wins.  He  limits  his  losses,  and  no  persuasion 
can  induce  him  to  risk  his  luck  beyond  the  sum  named. 
This  line  of  life  he  has  pursued  for  a quarter  of  a cen- 
tury with  the  average  in  his  favor. 

A LAWYER  eminent  in  the  real  estate  business  for 
twenty-five  years  built  up  and  amassed  a fortune. 
His  judgment  was  excellent  and  he  held  in  his  hands 
large  trusts.  Through  all  his  life  little  tricks  were 
charged  on  him,  and  there  were  little  blurs  on  his  busi- 
ness repute.  The  probability  is  he  was  never  honest, 
but  the  exact  temptation  did  not  reach  him  till  late  in 
life.  He  collected  all  the  money  he  could  collect,  bor- 
rowed all  he  could  borrow,  and  fied  in  the  night,  leav- 
ing thousands  in  sorrow  and  ruin. 

A ISTew  York  politician  bought  some  Rochester  oil 
land.  A spout  of  oil  came  up  on  the  working  full 
fifty  feet  high.  People  from  miles  around  came  to 
look  at  the  sight  and  every  one  was  allowed  to  carry 
away  a cup  of  oil.  The  man  was  offered  a quarter 
million  for  the  property.  Ten  thousand  dollars  would 
have  exceeded  his  wildest  thought  at  the  beginning. 


250 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Why  should  he  sell  for  a quarter  million  what  was 
worth  a million  ? Ten  thousand  dollars  were  expended 
in  machinery  to  develop  the  well.  One  day  an  ex- 
X)losion  took  place,  and  men,  crowbars  and  tools  were 
blown  sky-high.  An  acre  of  land  would  now  be  dear  at 
twenty-hve  dollars.  Some  men  trade  on  their  religion. 
They  carry  a Bible  under  their  arm  on  ferry  boats, 
and  about  their  business.  They  distribute  tracts  to 
customers  and  relate  their  experience  before  they  trade 
horses.  Nobody  thinks  any  better  of  them  for  this, 
for  the}^  are  no  better  than  other  people.  Some  men 
make  a living  at  Fulton  street  daily  prayer-meeting 
by  borrowing  money,  and  the  leader  has  to  constantly 
guard  strangers  against  imposition.  A well-known 
railroad  man  had  scruples  about  letting  the  street  cars 
run  on  Sunday,  but  he  had  no  scruples  about  over- 
issuing stock. 

Men  work  harder  to  be  infamous  than  they  would 
have  to  work  to  get  an  honest  living.  Kascality  is  a 
trade  that  requires  more  talent  than  honesty.  The 
convicts  in  the  State  prison  have  worked  harder  to 
wear  a prison  garb  than  any  college  student  works  to 
obtain  his  diploma.  To  be  vile,  men  ding  everything 
away  that  is  worth  possessing,  and  devote  themselves 
to  rascality  with  an  energy  worthy  of  a better  cause. 
Men  study  chemistry  that  they  may  be  expert  crimi- 
nals. They  become  splendid  penmen  that  they  may 
commit  forgery ; skillful  engravers  that  they  may 
counterfeit ; ingenious  mechanics  that  they  may  forge 
tools  for  burglary.  Men  spend  months  in  laying  plans 
to  defraud  a bank,  and  all  their  labor  and  skill  is  re- 
warded by  dog’s  wages  and  dishonor,  with  the  State 
prison.  Ten  thousand  men  have  worked  their  way  up 
from  penury  to  fortune,  but  not  a single  case  can  be 
found  of  permanent  success  attending  rascality. 

All  up  and  down  Broadway  are  elegantly-furnished 


CHEATING  THE  DOMINIE. 


251 


offices  with  velvet  carpets  and  rosewood  furniture. 
Handsome  as  these  rooms  appear,  they  are  simjjly  dens 
to  entrap  the  simple.  The  rooms  are  selected  with  an 
eye  to  fraud.  They  open  on  two  streets.  Jewelry, 
gloves,  silks,  watches,  and  valuables  pass  the  threshold 
and  are  never  seen  more.  These  frauds  drive  a brisk, 
sharp,  short  trade,  and  then  disappear. 

Social  frauds  are  conducted  on  a complete  system. 
The  post-office  is  used  to  secure  victims.  Agents  tra- 
verse the  country  and  select  their  victims,  promising 
them  work,  position,  situation  and  money.  Hundreds 
of  innocent  people  are  decoyed  into  the  great  cities,  .are 
ruined  by  sharpers,  who  prey  upon  the  unwary. 


XCYI. 

CHEATING  THE  DOMINIE. 

CLASS  of  men  live  by  defrauding  ministers. 
A well-known  pastor  was  visited  by  a young 
woman,  evidently  at  service.  Herself  and 
friend  had  been  converted  by  a sermon 
preached  by  the  pastor.  Both  proposed  to  unite  with 
the  church,  but  sickness  and  death  prevented.  It  was 
her  friend’s  dying  request  that  the  pastor  should  attend 
the  funeral.  ‘ ‘ Was  there  any  society  that  aided  in  bury- 
ing the  dead  Sickness  and  death  had  consumed  the 
little  earnings  of  both.  Everything  was  provided  for 
but  a grave.  There  was  no  society,  but  the  pastor  ten- 
dered the  young  woman  five  dollars.  This  she  refused 
stoutly,  and  finally  accepted  it  as  a loan.  At  the  ap- 


252 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


pointed  hour  the  pastor  took  a coach  and  started  for 
the  funeral.  He  found  the  street  and  the  number: 
there  was  no  funeral,  and  there  was  no  corpse  ; nobody 
had  been  sick,  and  nobody  died.  The  whole  story  was 
a pure  invention  to  secure  five  dollars. 

A pastor  came  out  of  his  pulpit  one  Sunday  and  was 
met  by  an  invalid.  He  was  just  discharged  from  the 
hospital : had  heard  no  preaching  for  three  months, 
and  was  delighted  to  hear  a Gospel  sermon.  He  called 
the  next  morning  at  the  parsonage.  He  was  quite 
lame  ; had  failed  in  his  remittance,  and  wanted  a little 
money  to  get  home.  The  pastor  had  heard  of  a similar 
case,  and  asked  the  invalid  to  step  around  with  him 
and  see  a brother  minister.  As  the  minister  ]3ulled  the 
door-bell,  he  accidentally  looked  around,  when  he  saw 
his  lame  friend  a half  a block  otf,  running  like  a deer. 


XCYII. 

CLEHICAL  IRHEGULARITIES. 

H all  professions  and  callings  there  is  an  aver- 
age of  bad  men.  The  ministry  is  no  excep- 
tion. The  ministry  is  well  guarded,  but  in 
every  age  ‘‘wolves  have  entered,  not  sparing 
the  flock.”  The  Saviour  struck  boldly  at  priestly  cor- 
ruption. Men  who  made  long  prayers  often  devoured 
widows’  houses.  The  wonder  is  not  that  there  are  bad 
men  in  the  ministry,  but  that  there  are  not  more.  It 
has  rare  attractions  to  mediocrity.  It  pays  better  for 
moderate  talent  than  any  other  x)rofession.  Like  every 


CLERICAL  TRUE  a CLARITIES. 


253 


other  calling,  some  succeed — some  fail ; some  are  very 
good  men — some  are  very  bad. 

Too  Much  Makried. — A j^oung  man  was  settled 
over  a very  poor  parish.  A wealthy  gentleman  gave 
him  a home.  The  young  man  repaid  the  kindness  by 
making  love  to  an  invalid  daughter.  The  father  made 
the  discovery  when  it  was  too  late  to  avert  the  evil,  and 
the  marriage  took  place.  It  was  an  unhappy  union, 
followed  by  crnelt}^  and  neglect.  The  child- wife  soon 
died  and  left  the  minister  free.  He  obtained  a city 
charge  with  the  infatuation  of  marriage  still  upon  him. 
He  engaged  himself  to  a mere  child,  bound  her  by 
a solemn  oath  to  secrecy,  and  sent  her  to  school  to 
complete  her  education.  He  tired  of  his  new  toy  and 
deserted  her  on  the  ground  that  she  had  broken  her 
contract.  He  found  a new  church  and  a new  victim, 
— this  time  a widow,  who  was  too  much  for  him,  and 
who  compelled  him  to  marry  her,  though  the  marriage 
was  secret.  A watch  was  put  upon  him  ; he  was  tracked 
to  the  widow’s  house,  and  showing  a certificate  of 
marriage  alone  saved  him  from  a coat  of  tar  and 
feathers.  He  deserted  both  the  church  and  his  wife, 
turned  up  on  the  Pacific  coast,  where  he  was  found  ped- 
dling milk  on  Sundays. 

Bad  Rhetoric. — A well-known  merchant  was  in  a 
bad  humor  one  Monday  morning.  A friend  said  to 
him  : “ Jerry,  I am  afraid  the  preaching  yesterday  did 
not  do  you  much  good.”  “It  did  not,”  was  the  an- 
swer. “My  pastor  preached  yesterday  on  the  liquor 
traffic.  He  said  a man  who  would  sell  liquor  at  this 
age  would  not  quail  if  the  gates  of  hell  were  shook  in 
his  face.  There  is  my  ledger  ; look  at  it ; there  is  an 
account  against  that  man  for  seventy  dollars.  Thirty 
dollars  are  for  liquors  that  he  has  not  paid  for.” 


254 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Forced  into  the  Ministry. — A young  man  wanted 
to  practice  law.  His  father  was  a minister,  and  his 
mother  had  consecrated  him  when  a babe  to  the  sacred 
office.  Every  step  in  his  education  looked  towards  the 
pulpit.  He  had  no  heart  for  the  work  and  really  hated 
the  pastoral  office.  A mother’ s tears  prevailed  and  he 
graduated  with  high  honors.  He  was  brilliant,  and 
secured  a prominent  pulpit,  but  he  had  no  heart  for  his 
work.  He  was  fond  of  company,  would  wear  white 
gloves  and  read  novels.  His  pastorate  was  a short  one, 
and  he  was  dismissed  by  a council  without  honor.  A 
first-class  lawyer  was  lost  that  a very  poor  minister 
might  be  created. 


Speculation  in  Oil. — A j^oung  man  was  settled 
over  a city  church.  He  made  a venture  in  oil,  and  won. 
He  knew  that  he  was  cut  out  for  a trader.  His  head 
was  fairly  turned.  He  gave  up  the  pul^jit  and  went  on 
the  street.  He  lost  his  money  quicker  than  he  made 
it  and  resorted  to  practices  not  credible  to  raise  the 
wind. 

Ho  Trial. — It  is  no  uncommon  thing  for  base  men 
and  base  women  to  attempt  to  blackmail  preachers. 
A woman  preferred  a charge  against  a well-known 
rector.  The  rector  walked  into  the  office  of  the  district- 
attorney  and  took  out  a warrant  for  the  arrest  of  the 
woman  for  blackmailing.  The  newspapers  gave  him 
credit  for  great  pluck.  The  woman  answered  the  sum- 
mons, gave  bail,  and  told  the  authorities  that  she  could 
be  found  when  wanted.  She  was  offered  a discharge 
if  she  would  retract.  She  refused  the  offer,  and  de- 
manded a speedy  trial.  The  indictment  lies  in  a jiigeon- 
hole  in  the  office,  and  the  case  probably  will  never  be 
called. 


CLERICAL  IRREO  ULARITIES. 


255 


Money  Borrowers. — Some  men  stain  their  honor 
by  being  professional  money -borrowers.  There  was  a 
case  in  New  York  where  this  passion  amounted  to  an 
infatuation.  A man  stood  very  high  in  letters  and  in 
theology,  but  he  had  no  charge,  and  went  from  place 
to  place  on  Sunday,  usually  occupying  a seat  in  the 
pulpit.  He  overlooked  the  congregation,  and  selected 
his  men.  He  spent  the  week  going  from  store  to  store, 
borrowing  small  sums,  from  five  dollars  to  twenty-five. 
He  called  one  Sunday  night  on  the  pastor.  A friend 
had  been  arrested  the  night  before.  His  wife  was 
nearly  crazed,  for  she  could  get  no  bail  on  Sunday. 
The  bail  was  raised  within  twenty  dollars.  Would  the 
pastor  loan  that  till  Monday,  or  get  some  of  his  society 
to  do  it?  Six  dollars  was  all  that  could  be  raised. 
The  minister  took  that  and  departed.  The  whole  story 
was  a fraud.  There  was  no  man  in  jail,  no  woman 
crazed,  no  jjarty  arrested  ; the  whole  was  an  attempt  to 
get  twenty  dollars. 

Concealment. — Education  helps  concealment.  The 
eye  is  educated  not  to  quail,  the  cheek  not  to  blanch, 
the  nerves  not  to  tremble,  and  the  brow  to  be  un- 
clouded. The  villain  walks  as  a saint,  and  does  holy 
things.  There  was  a college  church  in  the  north-west. 
The  pastor  was  very  gifted,  an  eminent  revivalist,  and 
claimed  a high  order  of  holiness.  Notwithstanding, 
his  repute  was  not  good.  Rumors  followed  him  from 
year  to  year.  His  name  was  connected  with  a deacon’ s 
wife.  She  was  a demure,  strait-laced,  devout  woman, 
apparently  without  temptation  and  without  charity. 
She  was  present  at  every  sermon,  and  was  never  absent 
from  the  communion.  In  time  distinct  charges  were 
preferred  against  the  parties.  They  solemnly  swore 
on  the  Evangelists  they  were  innocent.  Proofs  accumu- 


256 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


lated,  and  at  length  were  overwhelming.  The  scandal 
of  a public  trial  was  avoided  by  confession. 

Almost  Cleaeed. — A well-known  Massachusetts 
minister  was  settled  with  high  honor.  Rumors  com- 
passed him  about.  A council  was  called  to  investigate 
his  case.  The  council  voted  him  not  guilty,  and  ordered 
the  result  to  be  made  up.  A member  refused  to  sign 
the  result  because  one  particular  scandal  had  not  been 
investigated.  The  brother  was  no  doubt  innocent,  but 
he  could  not  say  that  all  cases  were  investigated  when 
they  had  not  been.  It  was  voted  to  adjourn  the  coun- 
cil and  examine  this  case.  Before  the  council  could 
adjourn  the  accused  came  in  with  a confession,  full  and 
humiliating,  which  came  on  the  brothers  like  a clap  of 
thunder  from  a clear  sky. 

Swearing  to  One’s  Hurt. — Charges  were  preferred 
against  the  pastor  by  his  deacons.  Prominent  minis- 
ters were  appointed  to  look  into  the  matter.  This 
tribunal  dismissed  the  charges  as  unworthy  of  consid- 
eration. In  a new  field  of  labor  a worse  scandal  broke 
out.  A young  woman  who  had  lived  in  his  family 
charged  the  minister  with  being  the  father  of  her  child. 
He  admitted  that  he  had  supported  the  mother  and 
child,  and  had  paid  an  annual  sum  for  hush-money. 
He  sent  a friend,  had  advised  him  to  do  it,  binding 
him  by  an  oath  to  secrecy.  The  name  of  this  friend 
was  demanded.  The  minister  refused  to  give  it  up, 
referring  to  his  oath.  Nobody  believed  the  story,  for 
it  was  said  that  the  man  did  not  live  benevolent  enough 
to  give  the  minister  five  hundred  dollars,  and  then  re- 
fuse to  own  it.  All  efforts  to  regain  public  confidence 
failed,  and  the  poor  man  passed  under  a cloud  and 
went  out  of  sight. 


CLERICAL  IRREGULARITIES. 


257 


A Stock  Broker. — A man  is  preaching  to  a little 
congregation  in  New  Jersey  that  once  held  a large 
charge  in  New  York.  He  had  large  wealth  of  his  own. 
He  saw  no  reason  why  he  should  not  invest  in  stocks 
and  make  his  fortune  larger.  He  got  caught  in  the 
undertow.  To  save  himself  he  resorted  to  a little 
sharp  practice.  He  lost  his  money,  lost  his  pulpit, 
lost  his  character,  and  lived  abroad  for  some  years. 

Too  MANY  Irons  in  the  Fire. — A preacher  who 
was  very  well  known  in  New  York,  was  a distinguished 
moral  reformer.  He  was  versatile  in  talent  and  turned 
his  hand  to  a great  many  things.  He  was  editor  of  a 
prominent  religious  paper,  a great  revivalist,  and 
pastor  of  a large  church.  Rumor  accused  him  of  visit- 
ing the  third  row  of  the  Park  Theater.  A committee 
was  appointed  to  look  into  the  rumor.  In  the  saloon 
of  the  theater  the  man  was  found  drinking  with  some 
women.  He  had  been  leading  this  line  of  life  for 
years.  His  dismissal  from  the  church  and  deiDosition 
from  the  ministry  rapidly  followed. 

A Standard-Bearer  Falls. — A minister  had  a 
national  repute.  He  was  wise  in  council,  and  eloquent 
in  speech.  He  became  secretary  of  one  of  the  great  in- 
stitutions of  the  church.  Whilst  he  was  pleading  the 
cause  with  great  eloquence  and  success,  rumors  at- 
tacked his  character.  Detectives  were  put  on  his 
track,  who  followed  him  to  haunts  of  infamy.  His  fall 
was  terrible  as  it  was  sudden. 

Robes  taken  off.  A young  man  was  converted 
at  sea.  He  wished  to  study  for  the  ministry,  and 
graduated  with  honor.  He  was  settled  in  Washington, 
and  occupied  several  x)ulpits  of  importance.  His  set- 
tlements were  short  ones,  and  everywhere  something 
17 


258 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


seemed  to  be  the  matter.  His  case  culminated  in  a 
charge  near  Boston.  He  invited  a young  woman  into 
the  study  in  the  church  to  talk  over  the  subject  of 
religion.  He  locked  his  study  door  and  offered  her 
personal  indignities.  She  was  a girl  of  spirit,  and  de- 
manded that  the  door  should  be  unlocked,  or  she 
should  break  through  the  windows.  The  key  was 
turned  back,  and  the  girl  lied  like  a frightened  fawn. 
The  i)astor  anticipated  the  popular  verdict,  fled  be- 
tween two  days,  and  died  in  disgrace. 

SERvma  Tables. — Men  who  serve  tables  cannot 
administer  the  word  of  the  Lord.  Men  have  attempted 
to  join  horse- jockeying,  stock- jobbing,  and  sx)eculating 
with  i)reaching.  The  result  has  never  anywhere  been 
a success.  One  of  the  most  eloquent  rectors  in  New 
York  undertook  to  build  an  educational  institution. 
He  bought  right  and  left,  made  contracts  he  could 
not  carry  out,  incurred  debts  he  could  not  pay,  and 
formed  obligations  only  to  break  them.  He  lost  his 
fine  city  church,  and  was  crip^ffed  by  his  ventures  all 
his  life. 

Indisceetions. — These  hurt  like  crime. 

“ There  are  evils  wrought  by  want  of  thought, 

As  well  as  want  of  heart.” 

Age  has  its  x^erils  as  well  as  youth.  It  is  no  uncom- 
mon thing  for  the  New  York  police  to  lift  out  of  the 
gutter  a minister  and  take  him  to  his  home.  Company 
woiLs  mischief  to  a young  man.  Parochial  flattery 
and  indiscriminate  praise,  turn  the  head  of  many  a 
IDox^ular  |3astor.  Too  much  tea-drinking  and  too  little 
study  has  ruined  many  a bright  man. 

Bad  Rumors. — A well-known  evangelist  was  very 
pojiular.  His  style  was  liberal^  his  delivery  effec- 


CHOATE  AS  A LAWYER. 


259 


tive,’  and  Ms  manner  courtly.  A cliurcli  was  gathered 
for  him,  and  he  was  petted  and  cossited  like  a child. 
As  his  house  of  worship  was  being  completed,  rumors 
about  his  social  habits  were  abroad,  and  the  press  was 
outspoken  and  loud.  Indiscretions  were  admitted, 
and  the  charges  were  never  pressed.  A libel  was 
threatened,  but  nothing  came  of  it. 

A Mai^  of  Versatility. — A gentleman  who  was 
for  some  time  pastor  of  a city  church  has  been  a play- 
actor, a stock-jobber,  a dealer  in  horses,  a pastor,  and 
everywhere  a speculator.  He  is  known  on  the  street 
as  Doctor,  and  keeps  Rev.  before  his  name  for  specu- 
lative purposes.  He  has  no  church,  and  seldom  enters 
the  pulpit  of  his  denomination.  In  his  early  career  he 
speculated  in  churches,  involving  both  himself  and  his 
friends.  He  visited  England  and  contracted  to  bring 
Spurgeon  on  a starring  expedition  to  this  country. 
Spurgeon  was  to  preach  a certain  number  of  nights — 
admission  to  be  obtained  by  tickets,  and  the  proceeds 
were  to  be  divided;  one  half  to  be  left  to  build  a 
memorial  church  for  the  speculator,  and  the  other  half 
Spurgeon  was  to  take  with  him  to  London. 


XCYIII. 

CHOATE  AS  A LAWYER. 


UFUS  CHOATE  was  an  eminent  lawyer  and 
an  eloquent  speaker — the  most  so  in  the  na- 
tion. He  was  an  extraordinary  looking 
man.  His  face  was  as  wrinkled  as  an  old 
woman  of  eighty.  His  hair  was  black  and  kinky.  He 


2G0 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


was  tall,  spare,  nervous  and  ethereal.  He  was  very  de- 
ferential to  the  court,  but  could  strike  when  he  would  a 
heav}"  blow.  Judge  Shaw  was  a man  of  eminent  learn- 
ing, but  he  was  very  surly  to  the  bar.  He  snubbed 
Choate  one  day,  and  the  great  advocate  said,  ‘‘Judge 
Shaw  is  no  lawyer,  but  he  is  a perfect  gentleman.” 
His  retorts  were  terrible,  and  nobody  got  the  better  of 
him  in  a repartee.  To  his  doctor,  who  ordered  him  to 
cease  work  if  he  would  save  his  constitution,  the  great 
advocate  replied  : “ My  constitution  was  gone  long  ago. 
I am  now  living  on  the  by-laws.”  He  was  an  un- 
daunted student  through  all  his  college  career,  and 
found  his  recreation  in  hard  work.  He  read  every- 
thing he  could  lay  his  hands  on,  and  his  prodigious 
memory  treasured  up  everything  he  read. 

He  arose  early  and  worked  until  midnight.  He  never 
tired  himself,  and  had  no  idea  that  anj^one  else  could 
be  fatigued.  He  went  to  Dartmouth  to  spend  August. 
He  took  a cart-load  of  law  books  with  him,  enough  to 
hold  a term  of  a court.  On  the  third  morning  he  came 
down  to  the  breakfast  dressed  for  a journey.  “ I shall 
die  here,”  he  said.  “I  must  go  home  and  go  to 
work.” 

His  law  office  was  always  crowded  when  he  was  in 
town.  Whoever  got  his  attention  was  sure  to  keep  it 
till  the  matter  was  disposed  of.  He  was  especially  con- 
siderate to  the  poor  ; and  he  listened  as  attentively  to 
a case  involving  ten  dollars  as  he  would  to  one  involv- 
ing ten  thousand.  He  was  constitutionally  a cold  man, 
and  a tire  blazed  on  his  hearth  in  July.  He  came  into 
court  with  three  or  four  coats  on,  and  took  them  otf 
one  after  the  other  as  he  warmed  up.  His  favorite 
suit  before  a jury  was  a black  frock  coat  and  gray  pants. 
He  kept  no  appointments  except  legal  ones.  He  had 
a habit  of  going  to  bed  after  supper,  wholly  undress- 
ing himself,  and  getting  up  about  nine  and  working  till 


CHOATE  AS  A LAWYER. 


261 


midnight.  If  he  had  a literary  or  political  appoint- 
ment, he  had  to  be  watched.  Committees  often  went 
to  his  house,  dragged  him  out  of  bed,  and  carried  him 
to  Faneuil  Hall,  where  he  had  a sj^eech  to  make.  He 
never  put  a case  before  the  jury  till  he  had  manipu- 
lated that  panel.  He  studied  the  jury,  knew  their 
trade,  their  x)olitics,  and  their  religion.  His  wild  rhap- 
sodies, his  rantings  and  his  sentimentalisms  were  stock 
in  trade.  His  extravagant  and  incoherent  talks  about 
Marie  Antoinette  and  General  Jackson,  the  French 
Revolution  and  Foreign  Missions,  were  designed  to 
manipulate  the  jury.  His  voice  was  melody  itself, 
sonorous,  bell-like  and  bewitching.  His  stage  whisper 
made  the  flesh  creep  and  his  roar  jarred  the  chande- 
delier.  His  affluence  of  learning,  his  frenzy,  his  humor, 
his  repartee  were  irresistible.  He  could  mesmerize 
the  jury  at  will,  and  demolish  a swift,  unwillingly,  or 
perjured  witness  with  terrible  powel*.  On  a cross-ex- 
amination he  had  no  peer.  He  knew  when  to  stop, 
how  much  to  make  a witness  say,  and  like  a skillful 
artist,  he  would  cut  out  the  exact  blo@k  he  wanted  to 
All  the  hole  in  the  wall.  He  kept  sight  of  the  jury 
through  all  the  trial.  At  recess  he  would  say  to  his  as- 
sistant, ‘‘  Drift  out,  drift  out,  and  hear  what  they  say.” 
He  knew  every  book  in  the  Boston  libraries,  the  shelf 
on  which  it  stood,  the  alcove  in  which  it  v/as  placed. 

He  wrote  everything,  and  had  the  faculty  to  com- 
mit by  the  act  of  writing.  All  his  motions  and  his 
address  to  the  court  were  written,  but  lay  untouched 
on  his  table.  He  wrote  standing  at  a tall  desk,  wrote 
on  a half  a sheet  of  letter-paper,  and  piled  one  upon 
another.  He  wrote  an  extraordinary  hand  which  no 
one  could  read  without  learning.  He  dashed  ink  over 
his  manuscript,  had  a way  of  flourishing  which  covered 
his  writing  up,  and  then  he  would  cover  the  whole 
with  a profusion  of  black  sand.  When  he  wrote  a 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


2Q2 


lecture  or  oration,  he  left  the  manuscript  wet  on  his 
desk,  and  delivered  the  lecture  without  a scrap  of 
writing  before  him.  I saw  him  on  the  Saturday  pre- 
vious to  the  delivery  of  his  eulogy  on  Webster.  He 
told  me  that  not  a word  of  the  address  was  written. 
He  sx)ent  Monday  in  traveling  to  Dartmouth,  and 
the  eulogy  was  given  on  Tuesday.  It  was  fully  writ- 
ten out,  but  delivered  without  notes. 

While  taking  testimony  at  a trial,  he  kept  two 
sets  of  notes.  One  held  the  evidence,  and  the  other  was 
a digest  and  an  argument.  As  soon  as  the  testimony 
closed,  he  was  ready  to  argue  the  case.  He  knew 
everything  about  law,  both  American  and  European  ; 
the  law  of  entail  and  the  black-letter  law  of  England 
were  as  familiar  to  him  as  the  criminal  code. 

He  sometimes  found  his  match  in  a witness.  One 
desj^erado  told  him  that  bad  men  never  committed  a 
crime  without  first  asking  after  Choate’s  health. 
There  was  a conspiracy  to  commit  murder  ; one  man 
turned  State’s  evidence,  and  Choate  tried  to  break  him 
down.  ‘Hn  the  conspiracy  you  took  all  the  conse- 
quences into  account “We  did.”  “Were  you 
not  afraid  of  being  hung ?”  “No  sir.  If  worse  came  to 
worse  we  had  money  enough  to  employ  Choate,  and  he 
would  see  us  through.” 

Choate  laid  up  no  money  till  he  was  past  forty 
years  of  age.  He  earned  a great  deal,  but  collected 
little.  He  was  always  in  want  of  money,  and  always 
under  the  harrow.  He  kept  no  books,  and  if  a man 
came  to  pay  a bill  he  charged  him  just  whaf  he  hap- 
pened to  need  at  the  moment.  If  a man  exx)ected  to 
X)ay  a thousand  dollars  Choate  would  let  him  off  for 
three  hundred.  He  had  two  or  three  partners,  but 
they  never  aided  Mr.  Choate  in  his  money  matters. 
His  loose  financial  habits  cost  him  ten  thousand  dollars 
a year.  Things  changed  when  young  Joe  Bell  became 


CHOATE  AS  A LAWYER. 


263 


a partner.  He  was  sharp  enough  for  anybody.  The 
retainers  were  high,  his  charges  heavy,  and  he  sent  in 
his  bill  as  soon  as  the  verdict  was  recorded.  A rail- 
road company  sent  a retainer  of  a hundred  dollars  in 
an  important  case.  Bell  sent  it  back  and  demanded  a 
thousand.  When  the  defendants  saw  Choate’s  name 
in  the  case  they  compromised.  One  day  Mr.  Choate 
said,  ^‘What  retainer  did  the  road  pay  usf’  ‘‘One 
thousand  dollars.”  “We  will  let  them  off  at  that. 
We  did  nothing.”  “You  are  too  late,”  said  Bell. 
“ Your  name  settled  the  suit.  I charged  the  company 
five  thousand  dollars,  and  the  money  is  in  bank.” 

Choate  was  very  considerate  to  young  lawyers. 
He  was  very  proud  of  his  profession,  and  delighted  to 
aid  young  men.  He  knew  how  to  put  a young  advo- 
cate at  his  ease.  He  never  assumed  anything.  “Yes,” 
he  would  say,  “you  have  stated  that  very  well,  but 
how  would  it  do  to  put  it  so  ?”  “ Suppose  we  turn  to 

one  of  the  decisions  and  see  how  that  reads  f’  “ That 
is  a good  point,  but  I am  afraid  the  court  will  go  against 
us.”  “ That  is  an  excellent  decision,  but  it  strikes  me 
that  that  has  been  overruled.”  He  came  early  to  court, 
but  never  so  early  but  that  he  had  done  a day’s  work. 
For  years  he  was  on  one  side  or  the  other  of  all  the 
great  cases  argued  at  the  Massachusetts  bar.  He  de- 
clined the  office  of  the  U.  S.  attorney-general,  and  also 
a seat  on  the  U.  S.  bench,  for  the  salary  was  not  ade- 
quate to  his  support. 


264 


/SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


XCIX. 

FLIES  IX  THE  OINTMENT. 

LITTLE  folly  in  a wise  man,  the  Bible  says, 
ruins  him.  A whole  life  is  inadequate  to 
atone  for  a single  false  step.  One  of  th(3 
ablest  financiers  in  the  State  of  Massachu- 
setts was  president  of  a bank  near  Boston.  His  salary 
was  large,  and  his  social  position  high.  He  wanted  to 
use  some  money,  with  which  to  purchase  land.  He 
took  it  from  the  bank,  leaving  his  own  check  as  a 
memorandum.  Had  he  called  the  directors  together, 
he  could  have  had  all  the  money  he  wanted.  He  had 
an  enemy  in  the  board.  This  man  discovered  the 
check,  and  made  a noise  about  it.  The  act  was  pro- 
nounced a breach  of  trust.  In  an  hour  the  president 
lost  his  position,  his  money,  his  honor. 

Nobody  stood  higher  than  Jacksot^,  a Boston  law- 
yer. He  had  earned  through  a long  life  the  repute  of 
integrity  and  prudence.  He  held  large  trust  estates, 
and  men  and  women  begged  him  to  invest  their  funds. 
His  legitimate  income  was  not  less  than  twenty-five 
thousand  a year.  To  make  it  a hundred  thousand,  he 
became  the  great  forger  of  the  age.  The  indictments 
against  him  would  keep  him  in  State  prison  all  his 
life. 

Social  DRiNKiNa  customs  ruin  business  young  men. 
These  habits  seldom  go  alone.  Men  who  live  on  their 
nerves  should  have  cool  heads.  The  champion  billiard- 
players  drink  nothing.  Dan  Mace  drinks  nothing  but 
lemonade  on  the  road.  Men  who  keep  their  own  cop- 
pers hot  would  not  trust  their  costly  teams  to  Mace,  if 


FLIES  IN  THE  OINTMENT, 


265 


his  own  nerves  were  not  steady.  The  young  business 
men  of  New  York  are  prematurely  old.  They  are 
older  at  thirty  than  their  fathers  are  at  sixty.  They 
are  bald  and  gray,  walk  Avith  a cane,  with  their  under- 
pinnings knocked  out.  Many  drink  a bottle  of  wine 
before  they  are  fixed  for  dinner,  and  cover  their  meat 
with  sauces  and  spices  before  they  can  get  an  appe- 
tite. These  are  known  as  fast  young  men  who  don’ t 
live  out  half  their  days. 

Farragut,  when  his  son  was  ten  years  old,  put  a 
thousand  dollars  in  the  bank  for  him,  on  condition  that 
he  would  neither  drink  nor  smoke  till  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  old.  Foote  was  the  best  disciplinarian  in  the 
Navy.  No  swearing  was  allowed,  or  harsh  treatment. 
When  he  took  command  of  a ship,  he  approached  the 
crew  with  a pledge  in  one  hand  and  a cat  in  the  other, 
saying : ‘‘  Boys,  take  your  choice.  You  must  take  one 
or  the  other.” 

Ball,  the  sculptor,  was  the  Michael  Angelo  of 
America.  His  drinking  habits  ruined  him.  He  worked 
just  enough  to  keep  him  in  liquor.  When  he  was 
clear  doAvn  he  made  poker  pictures.  With  a hot  iron 
on  the  head  of  a barrel  he  would  burn  out  an  exquisite 
work  of  art.  This  he  would  sell  for  fifty  cents,  and 
invest  it  in  rum.  An  eminent  organist,  who  plays  in 
one  of  the  churches,  has  often  had  to  be  held  on  his 
seat,  being  too  drunk  to  sit  upright. 

Commercial  disasters  affect  men  differently.  Some 
are  ruined  beyond  the  hope  of  recovery,  take  to  the 
bottle  or  a rope  ; others  remove  the  debris,  and  lay 
the  foundations  only  the  firmer.  One  of  the  wealthiest 
men  in  Salem  was  mayor  of  the  city.  He  was  born  to 
wealth,  and  his  manhood  was  passed  in  luxury.  He 
failed  disastrously.  He  went  to  Canada,  and  camped 


266 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


out  as  a lumberman.  He  resolved  to  retrieve  bis  for- 
tune. In  the  midst  of  his  labors,  he  perished  on  board 
of  a burning  steamer. 

A Quakee  has  for  years  made  a specialty  of  selling 
corn-fed  pig  pork.  For  fifty  years  he  has  driven  a 
trade  in  an  unfashionable  part  of  the  city,  in  a room 
nearly  underground.  Here,  on  tables  white  as  snow, 
are  spread  out  chops,  loins  and  sausages.  The  coaches 
of  the  aristocracy  drive  up  and  down  the  narrow  street, 
onl}^  too  thankful  to  be  served.  The  Quaker  waits  on 
his  customers  in  person,  and  his  style  of  business,  un- 
changed for  half  a century,  has  made  him  rich. 

Speculatioi^  is  an.  infatuation.  A man  will  make 
a fortune  on  the  street,  and  stay  there  till  he  fiings  it 
all  away.  A well-known  operator  made  a fortune  and 
retired.  He  took  his  family  to  Europe,  and  resided 
there  a year.  He  came  back,  and  visited  his  old 
haunts.  His  friends  gave  a dinner  to  the  man  who  had 
strength  of  mind  enough  to  retire  with  six  millions. 
Some  of  the  shrewdest  speculators  on  the  street  were 
in  a great  venture,  and  ofi'ered  to  let  their  friend  in  at 
the  bottom  prices.  He  went  in  to  add  a little  to  his 
six  millions.  The  treacherous  seas  swallowed  up  his 
whole  fortune,  and  the  man  has  to  be  watched  to  keep 
him  from  suicide. 

Sunday  work  is  usually  bad  work.  The  statistics 
of  New  York  show  that  merchants  who  keep  their 
counting-houses  open  on  Sunday  fail.  A heated  brain 
like  a hot  box  is  not  the  best  thing  for  work.  Paraly- 
sis and  softening  of  the  brain  are  the  great  diseases  of 
business  men.  The  regular  periodical  repose  of  tire 
Sabbath  is  absolutely  necessary  for  health  and  cool 
judgment.  Castlereagh  had  no  Sabbath  and  worked 
himself  into  frenzy  and  suicide.  Sir  Matthew  Hale 


FLIES  IN  THE  OINTMENT. 


2G7 


during  forty  years  of  liis  circuit  life  never  lost  a day 
by  sickness,  and  was  not  out  of  his  pew  on  Sundays 
for  half  a century.  He  attributed  his  good  health  to 
an  early  resolution,  never  to  do  secular  business  on  the 
Lord’s  Day.  Men  make  or  mar  their  fortune  by  insig- 
nificant trifles.  Tidiness  has  a commercial  value. 
Talent  comes  out  in  the  tying  a bundle  or  displaying 
goods  in  a window.  The  material  of  a coat  may  be 
coarse,  but  the  fit  be  complete.  A sloven  or  a slattern 
is  a nuisance  anywhere.  A doctor  cannot  afford  to 
be  a sloven,  and  a minister  ought  not  to  dress  like  a 
butcher.  One  of  the  dirtiest  men  in  Boston  was  old 
Ben  Wheeler.  He  was  a man  of  large  wealth,  but  his 
habits  and  methods  were  too  disgusting  for  mention. 
He  lived  eleven  months  on  beans,  and  when  he  was 
seventy  years  of  age  he  boasted  of  it.  He  owned  the 
filthiest  rookeries  in  the  city.  In  rooms  not  fit  for  a 
dog  kennel  he  often  sat  down  and  took  his  rent  out  in 
a dinner. 

A man  over  fifty  years  of  age  works  in  a piano  fac- 
TOEY.  For  twenty-five  years  his  sole  business  has 
been  to  cut  red  cloth  into  bits  and  squares  and  glue 
them  on  to  a hammer.  Not  one  in  a hundred  can  do 
this  work  artistically.  The  excellence  of  a piano  de- 
pends mateiially  on  the  manner  in  which  this  bit  of 
cloth  is  pasted  on.  The  artist  has  a life  position  and 
a handsome  salary. 

It  is  not  only  not  best  to  go  to  a beother’s  house  in 
a day  of  calamity,  but  it  is  not  always  safe  to  let  your 
troubles  be  known.  A panic  swept  over  the  city,  and  a 
well-known  merchant  was  at  his  wits’  end  for  money. 
He  kept  his  own  council  and  walked  leisurely  into  the 
bank.  After  talking  about  indifferent  things  the  mer- 
chant said  : “I  know  it  is  difficult  for  banks  to  get  re- 


268 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


liable  paper  in  these  panicky  times,  I thought  I would 
show  you  some  notes  that  I have.  I think  the  paper 
is  good,  you  may  put  the  money  to  my  credit  or  not, 
just  as  you  please.”  With  this  cool  method  of  asking 
a loan  as  a favor  to  the  bank,  he  walked  away.  He 
got  the  money,  nevertheless,  which  would  not  have 
happened  if  the  bank  had  known  his  condition. 

Men  fail  often  because  they  have  no  margin.  Men 
in  trade  and  in  stocks  live  sharp  up  to  their  income. 
Men  hire  palaces  for  stores,  tit  up  offices  like  a church 
chancel,  and  spend  their  profits  before  they  are  earned. 
When  I was  in  Paris  an  American  house  tried  to  in- 
duce a large  company  to  put  their  funds  in  his  bank. 
He  had  a gorgeous  establishment,  with  carpets,  mirrors, 
paintings  and  elegance,  and  all  his  fitting-uj3  was  done 
with  other  peoples’  money.  The  ruin  was  only  a 
question  of  time.  Beside  this  gorgeous  establishment 
was  an  old-time  banking-house,  not  an  inch  of  room 
for  show  or  loafing ; no  wining  or  dining  customers  ; 
in  dingy  rooms  with  the  selvedge  of  civility,  positive 
safety  was  guaranteed  and  the  letters  of  credit  of  the 
house  were  good  around  the  globe. 

On  the  Street  men  lose  their  personality.  The 
street  decides  what  the  merchant  shall  pay  for  gold  ; 
whether  greenbacks  shall  be  flush  or  locked  up ; 
whether  the  lumbermen  on  the  Penobscot,  the  rafts- 
men on  the  Mississippi,  the  fishermen  on  the  Grand 
Banks,  the  farmers  on  the  prairies,  shall  have  money. 
The  street  is  a dangerous  place  for  men,  not  only 
because  the  chances  are  ten  to  one  they  will  lose 
money,  but  because  of  the  habits  formed.  Out  of  the 
young  brokers  who  yell  themselves  hoarse  every  day, 
not  ten  will  be  left  in  ten  years.  They  must  do  as 
others  do,  whether  they  like  it  or  not ; they  must  eat 


FLIES  IN  THE  OINTMENT. 


2G9 


as  others  eat,  drink  as  others  drink,  drive  fast  horses, 
and  go  to  the  bar,  spend  their  nights  in  degrading 
company,  sleep  till  noon,  and  pay  the  heavy  bills  that 
the  fashionable  restaurants  charge. 

IS'obody  expected  to  see  Daniel  Drew  bankrupted. 
He  opened  a drover’s  exchange  at  Bull’s  Head  when  he 
was  very  young.  He  began  his  steamboat  life  with 
the  ‘‘Emerald.”  Vanderbilt  saw  in  him  a decided 
enemy,  and  tried  to  run  him  otf  the  river.  He  joined 
Newton  in  his  great  steamboat  enterprise  and  made 
money.  His  great  power  lay  in  combination.  He  was 
very  sly,  worked  through  agents,  and  took  the  stock 
market  by  surprise.  Concealment  and  cunning  were 
his  weapons.  While  he  followed  Vanderbilt’s  lead  he 
made  money.  When  he  ought  to  have  retired  with 
six  millions  he  plunged  into  the  Erie  troubles  and 
periled  everything  he  had.  His  friends  did  everything 
in  their  power  to  get  him  out  of  the  street,  but  the 
infatuation  of  stock  siDeculation  is  as  strong  as  the 
infatuation  of  gambling.  He  is  simply  a beacon  to 
young  business  men. 

An  old  man  resided  in  Leicester  square,  London, 
who  was  accounted  a lunatic.  He  was  a harmless  gentle- 
man, and  on  sunny  days  took  a seat  in  front  of  his 
house  amusing  himself  and  entertaining  his  neighbors 
by  blowing  soap-bubbles  from  a clay  pipe.  This  poor 
lunatic  was  Sir  Isaac  Newton,  studying  the  refraction 
of  light  as  the  bubbles  floated  in  the  sunshine. 

Some  men  can  turn  the  follies  and  frivolities  of  life 
into  sources  of  wisdom.  Copernicus  occasionally  vis- 
ited the  Sunday  wine-gardens  of  his  city.  He  was 
greatly  attracted  by  a German  waltz  in  which  the 
parties  whirled  themselves  around  rapidly,  yet  made 
the  circuit  of  the  room.  That  waltz  suggested  to 


270 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Copernicus  the  two-fold  motion  of  the  earth.  I heard 
Admiral  Farragut  say  that  the  idea  of  passing  the 
forts  at  Mobile  was  suggested  to  him  by  a book  he 
read  when  he  was  ten  years  of  age.  It  was  the  resolute 
landing  of  the  troops  at  Quebec  under  the  direction 
of  an  old  Scotch  sailingm aster,  who  landed  the  troops 
in  defiance  of  the  judgment  and  order  of  Wolfe.  As 
the  troops  w^ere  landed  Wolfe  insisted  on  taking  com- 
mand or  he  would  be  a ruined  man.  He  took  com- 
mand, and  the  story  of  his  tragic  end  is  well  known. 

Bunyan  was  a genius.  He  beguiled  his  jjrison  life 
by  music  on  a fiute.  All  such  recreation  was  prohib- 
ited, and  the  jailer  searched  his  cell  over  and  over 
again.  He  improvised  the  fiute  out  of  the  leg  of  his 
prison  stool,  and  when  the  rattling  of  the  chains  and 
the  grating  of  the  bolts  announced  the  coming  of  the 
keeper,  the  dreamer  hastily  replaced  the  leg  and  the 
jailer  was  none  the  wiser. 


C. 

TRADE  OF  AUTHORSHIP. 

UTHORSHIP  goes  by  favor.  The  writer  of 
the  feeblest  novel  of  the  century  received 
twenty -five  thousand  dollars  for  the  use  of 
of  his  . name.  Ten  thousand  dollars  were 
paid  for  a series  of  articles  that  could  scarcely  have 
gotten  circulation  in  an  ordinary  country  paper.  The 
saddest  chapter  in  literature  is  that  entitled  the  “ In- 


TRADE  OF  AUTEORSniP. 


271 


firmity  of  Genius.”  The  ‘‘Vicar  of  Wakefield”  was 
sold  for  a song.  Five  iionnds  Avere  paid  for  “ Paradise 
Lost.”  Johnson  worked  like  a scrub,  was  constantly 
in  want,  and  would  hai^e  died  in  poverty  but  for  a 
small  pension.  CoAvper  made  the  fortune  of  his  pub- 
lisliers,  but  lived  in  constant  fear  of  the  King's  Bench. 
The  love  of  literature  made  Sterne,  Swift,  and  Church- 
hill  paupers.  Timbs,  the  local  historian  of  London, 
printed  over  one  hundred  and  forty  volumes.  He 
worked  like  a galley  slave,  and  never  earned  his  bread. 
Carlisle  denounced  literature  as  a humiliating  calling. 
Southey  pronounced  the  man  foolish  avIio  followed 
writing  for  a living.  Lamb  was  reduced  by  book-mak- 
ing to  an  intolerable  serfdom.  Irving  pronounced  the 
years  in  which  he  wrote  for  his  bread  the  most  dis- 
tasteful of  his  life.  Scott  toiled  harder  than  any  ditcher 
in  Scotland,  and  literally  worked  himself  to  death. 
Burns  called  the  bread  he  earned  with  his  pen  the 
bread  of  sorrow.  At  least  a thousand  men  and  women 
are  trying  to  get  their  bread  with  their  pen  in  'New 
York,  and  don’t  earn  dog  s AA^ages.  Hr.  Sprague  sjoent 
his  manhood  on  his  “Annals  of  the  Pulpit.”  At  the 
close  of  his  Herculean  task  he  told  me  he  had  not  re- 
ceived money  enough  from  his  books  to  pay  his  x)ost- 
age.  Literature  and  liberality  do  not  go  together.  A 
well-knoAvn  actress,  in  the  height  of  her  fame,  Avhen 
she  was  a reader,  and  was  coining  money,  ordered  a 
basket  of  A\dne  from  Boston.  She  refused  to  pay 
tA\"enty-five  cents  expressage,  and  the  driver  refused  to 
deliver  the  basket.  She  drove  after  him  to  the  depot, 
paid  the  expressage  under  protest,  and  opened  a cor- 
respondence with  the  president  of  the  comjmny, 
threatening  him  Avith  all  kinds  of  penalties  if  he  did 
not  return  the  twenty-five  cents. 


273 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


CL 

CLAFLIN  AS  A MERCHANT. 

UCH  of  Claflin’s  success  is  due  to  his  good 
common  sense.  He  possesses  marked  busi- 
ness ability,  and  knows  how  to  till  the  ave- 
nues of  trade.  Those  who  look  for  him  in 
business  hours  seldom  find  him  in  the  office.  His 
favorite  place  is  on  a dry-goods  box,  nursing  his  leg 
and  talking  to  a customer  under  his  breath.  He  was 
never  a brilliant  man  but  won  by  his  steadfastness  and 
endurance.  He  began  business  in  Worcester.  He 
traded  in  a small  way,  bought  his  goods  in  small  par- 
cels, and  delivered  them  with  his  own  hands.  He 
courted  popularity  as  a trader  ; kept  a sort  of  people’ s 
store,  buying  close  and  selling  at  a small  advance.  He 
brought  little  capital  with  him  when  he  came  to  New 
York.  He  opened  trade  in  a loft  in  the  fourth  story  of 
a Maiden  lane  store.  He  bought  his  first  bill  of  goods 
of  Winston,  now  President  of  the  Mutual  Life.  The 
bill  was  seven  hundred  dollars,  and  Claflin  always 
maintained  a good  mercantile  credit.  He  was  an  ex- 
cellent salesman,  and  worked  his  way  uj)  alone.  He 
always  did  a large  business  in  proportion  to  his  capital. 
Clafiin  prided  himself  more  on  the  quantity  of  goods 
sold  than  he  did  on  the  profit  he  made.  Clafiin  could 
outsell  Stewart  any  year.  But  Stewart  would  make 
double  the  money.  Claflin  had  none  of  Stewart’s  ava- 
rice and  none  of  Stewart’s  tyranny.  He  took  young 
men  into  his  em^floy,  not  to  see  what  he  could  get  out 
of  them,  but  to  see  what  he  could  make  of  them. 
Young  merchants  who  had  a fair  repute  were  always 
sure  of  credit  and  a helping  hand  from  Claflin. 


MOSES  TAYLOR— A STEADY  PULL. 


273 


He  early  learned  the  art  of  securing  influence  in  the 
great  centers.  Representative  men  from  a distance,  if 
they  had  talent,  were  sure  of  employment  from  Claflin. 
If  they  failed  at  home,  and  failed  without  dishonor, 
they  were  just  as  useful  to  the  great  merchant.  These 
men  had  influence  and  custom,  and  they  could  trans- 
fer it  to  New  York.  Claflin  scoured  the  country  to  se- 
cure men  of  talent  and  ability.  If  men  came  to  trade 
from  Buffalo,  Detroit,  Chicago,  or  St.  Louis,  they 
would  be  introduced  to  a head  of  a department  from 
their  own  section.  The  customers  would  at  once  feel 
at  home,  and  would  And  topics  of  conversation  inter- 
esting to  both  parties. 

Claflin  catered  to  the  public.  And  as  he  did  in 
Worcester,  so  he  did  in  New  York.  He  made  himself 
popular  with  the  masses.  He  was  celebrated  for  a 
cheap  line  of  goods.  This  demanded  less  capital  and 
gave  him  a huge  stock.  His  xmoflts  were  very  small. 
Prints  that  he  bought  for  nine  cents,  he  would  sell  for 
nine  and  a half.  Men  went  to  Claflin’ s for  cheap  pat- 
terns, and  to  Sewart’ s for  richer  and  more  costly  fabrics. 
Claflin  sold  the  most  goods,  but  Stewart  made  the 
most  money. 


CII. 

MOSES  TAYLOR— A STEADY  PULL. 

R.  TAYLOR  is  a very  rich  man,  and  has 
made  his  wealth  in  trade.  He  would  be  a 
guide  to  no  one,  for  not  one  in  a thousand 
could  adopt  the  line  of  trade  that  gave  him 
a fortune.  If  money  is  everything,  and  is  to  be  had 
18 


274 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


at  any  price,  the  business  life  of  Mr.  Taylor  will  show 
a young  man  how  to  get  it.  Mr.  Taylor’s  father  was 
an  alderman  of  the  city,  and  through  him  Moses  ob- 
tained the  favor  of  John  Jacob  As  tor.  The  young 
man  began  to  trade  for  himself  in  a very  small  way. 
He  can  to-day  open  a small  memorandum  book, 
and  show  the  prolit  and  loss  of  every  sale.  He  made 
money  in  the  West  India  trade.  He  early  entered 
upon  the  career  of  a banker,  discounting  commercial 
jjaper  at  short  time  at  a large,  prolit.  Independ- 
ent of  his  bank  and  his  railroads,  he  keeps  a set  of 
books  which  he  writes  up  every  night.  It  is  said 
should  his  bank  burn  up  he  could  replace  all  his  ac- 
counts in  an  hour.  He  has  lived  till  sixty  to  make 
money.  Horses,  yachting,  fast  living  and  heated  viands 
have  no  charms  for  him.  He  prefers  his  well- venti- 
lated chamber  on  Fifth  avenue  to  the  sweltering  rooms 
of  a summer  watering-place.  He  rises  early,  takes  a 
bath,  eats  a simple  breakfast,  and  is  down  to  the  bank 
before  his  clerks.  After  banking  hours  he  takes  a 
frugal  dinner,  takes  a bath,  then  a na]D,  and  sits  down 
to  work,  which  closes  at  ten  o’  clock. 

Mr.  Taylor  is  a shrewd,  far-seeing  and  successful 
banker.  A railroad  in  the  coal  regions  was  earning 
nothing.  There  were  two  or  three  heavy  grades  on  the 
road,  and  the  trains  were  light.  To  the  surprise  of 
everyone,  Mr.  Taylor  bought  the  road.  He  called  to 
his  assistance  one  of  the  ablest  engineers  of  the  day. 
“ What  will  it  cost  to  put  a stationary  engine  at  those 
points  of  the  road  ?”  An  estimate  was  made.  “ I can 
double  the  capacity  of  my  freight,  can  I not  ?”  “You 
can.”  Ilis  dividends  the  first  year  were  a million. 
Moses  Taylor  was  a born  trader,  sharp  and  keen,  with- 
out sympathy  or  sentimentalism.  He  pays  a hundred 
cents  on  the  dollar  and  expects  the  same  in  return.  He 
touches  nothing  out  of  which  he  does  not  make  money. 


BOUTWELL,  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  SENATE.  275 


All  who  confide  business  to  him  know  that  it  will  be 
well  and  safely  done.  Whoever  employs  him  has  to 
pay  him. 


cm. 

BOUTWELL,  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES 
SENATE. 


EORGE  S.  BOUT  WELL  has  great  versatility 
of  talent.  He  is  not  now  an  old  man,  yet  he 
has  been  a trader,  a lawyer,  governor,  mem- 
ber of  Congress,  cabinet  officer,  and  senator. 
He  was  born  in  Brookline,  near  Boston,  and  spent  his 
boyhood  on  a farm.  Farm  life  was  not  congenial  to 
him,  and  he  entered  a store  at  Luninburg,  on  a salary 
of  a hundred  and  twenty  dollars  a year.  He  removed 
soon  after  to  Groton,  following  the  same  line  of  life. 
His  work  was  hard,  his  pay  poor,  and  one- half  of  his 
salary  was  taken  in  store  pay.  He  had  a great  desire 
for  an  education,  and  was  allowed  to  attend  school. 
In  a room  over  the  store,  he  found  a small,  but  select 
library.  He  devoted  all  his  leisure  and  much  of  his 
nights  to  devouring  this  mine  of  wealth.  At  sixteen 
he  was  competent  to  teach  a public  school. 

Mr.  Boutwell  obtained  a situation  in  a law  office. 
Besides  being  in  full  practice,  the  attorney  with  whom 
he  entered  his  name  was  master  in  chancery.  Boutwell 
became  clerk,  and  for  five  years  transacted  the  entire 
business  of  the  insolvency  court.  He  had  great  oppor- 
tunities, which  he  thoroughly  improved.  Being  a 
young  and  prosperous  lawyer,  the  friends  of  reform  in 


276 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Concord,  without  regard  for  party,  nominated  him  for 
the  Legislature.  He  was  defeated — nominated  again, 
and  again  defeated.  Third  time  he  was  elected.  He 
was  held  so  high  for  industry  and  ability,  that  the 
Democratic  party  nominated  him  for  governor.  He 
was  regularly  nominated  for  ten  years,  and  every  year 
defeated.  A coalition  was  formed  between  the  Demo- 
cratic and  the  Abolition  parties,  and  the  combined 
forces  put  Mr.  Boutwell  in  the  chair  of  state.  During 
all  the  years  of  his  public  life  he  has  resided  in  Groton 
maintaining  the  simplicity  of  rural  life — a practical 
farmer  and  a friend  of  the  people. 


CIY. 

GENERAL  GRANT  AT  SCHOOL. 

RANT’S  boyhood  had  very  small  promise. 
As  far  as  is  known  he  was  distinguished  for 
the  same  traits  which  have  marked  his  pub- 
lic career.  His  schooling  was  not  affluent. 
In  the  town  of  Amelia,  in  Clermont  county,  Ohio,  there 
is  an  old  weather-beaten  tumble-down  hovel.  . In  this 
building  U.  S.  Grant  received  his  early  education.  In 
study  Grant  was  nowhere.  The  bright  boy  of  the 
school  was  Harry  Wally.  He  is  now  running  a forty- 
acre  farm  in  Warren  county.  Grant  would  not  get  his 
lessons,  but  he  devoured  the  biography  of  Napoleon 
and  other  great  men.  In  his  attendance  he  was  punc- 
tual, and  was  never  late  at  school.  He  had  a native 
courtesy,  but  seldom  spoke  to  any  one.  He  never 


MULLER,  OF  BRISTOL. 


277 


joined  in  plays  except  in  a snow-ball  fight.  He  usually 
sat  on  a fence  or  on  a stump  and  watched  the  boys  at 
play.  He  was  very  obstinate.  He  had  one  fight  with 
the  schoolmaster,  and  won.  Some  boys  attempted 
to  take  Grant’s  knife  from  him.  The  master  sided 
with  the  school,  and  ordered  Grant  to  give  it  up. 
He  refused  to  do  so.  The  teacher  took  a long  black 
hickory  switch  and  belabored  the  boy  till  his  arm  ached. 
Grant  neither  begged,  flinched  nor  surrendered,  but 
clung  to  the  knife,  and  the  master  had  to  give  in. 

There  must  be  something  wrong  in  our  system  of 
education  that  makes  a boy  of  talent  a fool,  and  the 
charlatan  carry  off  the  honor.  Liebig  was  a booby, 
having  no  talent  but  memory.  He  was  held  up  as  a 
boy  that  would  bring  ruin  on  himself,  and  shame  on 
his  mother.  His  proposal  to  study  chemistry  only  ex- 
cited derision.  His  companion  in  stupidity  was 
Healing,  who  would  not  study,  but  scribbled  music  by 
stealth.  He  was  a born  vagrant,  the  master  said.  He 
reached  the  rank  of  imperial  composer  and  conductor 
of  music  at  Vienna. 


CY. 

MULLEH,  OF  BHISTOL. 

is  one  of  the  most  extraordinary  men 
age.  He  has  six  or  seven  great  stone 
1 houses  on  the  Downs.  He  has  built 
institutions,  controls  them,  has  fed, 
clothed  and  educated  thousands  of  orphan  children 


278 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


without  a patron  or  fund.  For  over  thirty  years  he 
has  been  at  this  work.  During  all  this  time  he  has 
never  wrote  a begging  letter,  never  had  an  agent  in  the 
held,  never  solicited  a penny.  Without  solicitation  he 
has  received  and  exi^ended  in  his  great  work  over  a 
million  dollars.  Any  one  of  his  six  mission  houses 
would  be  creditable  to  any  government  on  the  earth. 
Each  house  is  complete  in  itself,  and  enclosed  with  a 
stone  wall,  with  lodges,  play-ground,  and  everything 
complete  for  comfort  and  enjoyment.  His  revenue 
comes  from  all  parts  of  the  world  ; in  sums  from  hve 
pence  to  a thousand  x>ounds.  His  institution  is  one  oi 
the  wonders  of  the  British  empire,  and  strangers  visit 
it  from  the  four  quarters  of  the  globe.  He  is  a man  of 
marvelous  executive  power  and  could  run  the  British 
government.  Her  Majesty’s  high  steward  learned 
from  Mr.  Muller  how  to  warm  the  Parliament  build- 
ings. 

Muller’s  life  is  a romance.  He  was  a Prussian 
soldier, — a wild,  riotous,  reckless  fellow.  His  conver- 
sion was  marvelous,  and  he  resolved  to  devote  his  life 
to  the  lowly.  He  started  on  foot  for  London,  believing 
that  was  a better  field  for  labor  than  Berlin.  He 
begged  his  way  from  day  to  day,  and  slept  under 
hedges  or  in  barns.  Night  found  him  foot-sore  and 
weary.  He  saw  in  the  distance  a grand  house  that  he 
supposed  was  the  home  of  some  nobleman.  He  went 
to  the  door  to  beg  a morsel  of  bread  and  permission  to 
lie  down  in  the  barn.  The  door  swung  open  at  his 
approach,  and  a voice  said : “ Come  in,  thou  blessed  of 
the  Lord.”  A bountiful  repast  was  provided,  and  a 
clean  couch  spread  for  his  repose.  He  was  awakened 
in  the  morning  by  the  voice  of  praise.  After  break- 
fast, a lunch  was  handed  to  him,  that  he  might  refresh 
himself  on  the  way.  Muller  was  profuse  with  his 
thanks.  “Praise  the  Lord,  and  not  man,”  was  the 


MULLER,  OF  BRISTOL. 


279 


response,  and  he  was  told  the  story  ; how  a poor  trav- 
eler was  benighted,  and  nearly  perished  on  those  bleak 
hills.  He  made  a vow,  that  if  he  ever  had  money,  he 
would  build  a refuge  on  that  spot  for  benighted  trav- 
elers. He  received  a sum  of  money  in  an  extraordinary 
manner,  and  as  he  believed  in  answer  to  prayer.  He 
built  and  endowed  the  edifice,  and  ordered  that 
through  all  time  it  should  be  a home  for  the  needy 
and  suffering  of  every  clime.  This  night’s  rest  changed 
the  whole  of  Muller’s  life. 

He  reached  England,  unknown  and  penniless.  The 
established  church  assigned  him  in  the  ancient  city  of 
Bristol.  There  were  no  common  schools,  and  the  chil- 
dren of  the  poor  had  neither  employment  nor  culture. 
Vagrant  children  roamed  about  the  street,  with  no  one 
to  care  for  them.  Mr.  Muller’s  sympathies  were  speci- 
ally drawn  towards  the  orj^han  children,  who  were 
growing  up  in  idleness  and  crime.  He  tried  to  do 
them  good.  His  work  was  not  approved  by  the  Lon- 
don Society.  He  was  ordered  to  give  uj)  his  labors 
among  the  children,  attend  to  his  preaching,  or  his 
salary  would  be  stopped.  As  he  kept  steadily  about 
his  work,  the  impending  doom  came  upon  him,  and 
Muller  resolved  that  he  would  never  again  look  to  man 
for  his  support.  Cut  adrift  from  the  Establishment, 
Muller  gave  himself  to  the  work  of  rescuing  orj)han 
children.  He  hired  a small  room,  gathered  together 
half  a dozen,  and  went  to  work.  He  had  no  capital, 
and  no  patron.  He  needed  rent,  coal,  clothes,  food, 
and  money.  His  simple  resource  was  ijrayer.  He 
closed  the  year  out  of  debt,  with  his  work  every  hour 
growing  on  his  hands.  He  needed  an  orphan  house, 
one  in  size  and  capacity  worthy  the  British  nation,  and 
worthy  the  Great  Master  who  was  to  furnish  the  funds. 
He  wanted  a plot  of  ground  that  would  cost  £200.  He 
heard  of  a wealthy  lady  in  London,  who  he  believed 


280 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


would  furnisli  the  money.  She  was  no  such  woman  as 
Muller  supposed.  She  was  a votary  of  fashion,  frivo- 
lous and  extravagant.  She  was  indignant  at  Mr.  Mul- 
ler’s impertinence.  She  read  the  letter  to  some  of  her 
friends,  and  among  them  was  a woman  who  had  both 
the  heart  and  the  means.  She  furnished  the  money 
that  was  needed,  and  the  orphan  house  on  the  Downs 
was  erected. 

Muller’ s style  of  business  is  very  peculiar.  Through 
the  thirty  years  of  his  labor  he  has  never  incurred  a 
dollar’s  debt.  He  buys  the  ground  when  money  comes 
to  him  to  pay  for  it.  He  builds  a stor^^,  and  that  is 
paid  for  the  same  way.  The  building  is  completed 
and  furnished,  and  all  the  funds  necessary  come  with- 
out solicitation.  He  has  no  board  of  directors,  but 
holds  in  his  own  hands  the  management  of  the  whole 
property,  worth  millions.  He  has  absolute  sway  over 
the  management,  government,  education  and  distribu- 
tion of  the  property.  ISTo  person  but  the  Queen  can 
enter  the  buildings  but  under  the  rules  promulgated 
by  Mr.  Muller.  Should  he  die  to-morrow,  his  family 
would  not  have  a dollar’s  worth  of  property.  Every 
building  when  it  is  completed  is  made  over  to  the 
Lord  Chancellor  in  trust  for  the  orphans  in  England, 
till  the  end  of  time.  He  lives  in  a small  brick  house  in 
the  plainest  style.  His  floors  are  without  carpet,  and 
he  has  neither  lounge  nor  easy  chair.  He  indulges  in 
no  luxury  which  the  orphan  children  do  not  share. 
Three  large  chapels  are  needed  to  accommodate  his 
orphan  children  and  their  friends.  They  are  called 
Bethesda,  Ebenezer,  and  Salem.  They  are  unpainted, 
the  seats  are  benches  without  backs,  and  the  services 
are  of  a Methodist  love  feast.  No  accommodations  are 
made  for  strangers,  and  they  are  not  welcome.  Muller 
is  one  of  the  Plymouth  brethren,  and  does  not  affiliate 
with  other  sects.  He  is  no  preacher  in  the  American 


MULLER,  OF  BRLSTOL. 


281 


sense,  but  simply  an  exborter.  He  speaks  with  a 
strong  German  accent.  “He  Lord  vill  provide.”  He 
is  over  seventy  years  of  age,  slim  and  erect,  with  the 
carriage  of  a soldier.  He  wears  a black  frock  coat, 
buttoned  to  the  throat,  and  a white  neckcloth  without 
a collar. 

The  work  he  has  on  hand  is  simply  immense.  He 
has  charge  of  six  .spacious  institutions,  any  one  of  which 
is  as  large  as  the  largest  on  Blackwell’s  Island.  He 
feeds,  clothes,  and  educates  five  thousand  orphan  chil- 
dren a year.  All  the  money  needful  is  sent  him  from 
day  to  day,  and  he  has  not  the  slightest  idea  where  it 
is  coming  from.  His  huge  storehouses  are  filled  with 
provisions  to  the  very  attic,  looking  like  a commissary’s 
department.  He  personally  superintends  his  house- 
hold, and  provides  daily  for  his  immense  family.  He 
controls  his  three  great  congregations,  manages  a Bible 
society,  and  controls  a large  Tract  house.  He  has 
missionaries  in  all  quarters  of  the  globe,  who  are  sup- 
ported by  voluntary  contributions  sent  in  to  him.  Out 
of  the  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  missionaries  in  the 
foreign  field,  not  one  has  ever  been  called  home  for  the 
want  of  support,  nor  has  the  remittance  failed.  The 
missionaries  are  in  Tajjan,  China  and  Australia,  India, 
Asia,  and  the  Islands  of  the  Sea ; and  in  ISTorth  and 
South  America.  He  sends  any  one  abroad  who  wishes 
to  go,  and  trusts  entirely  to  prayer  for  their  support. 


282 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


CYI. 

BRYANT,  OF  THE  POST. 

LL  kinds  of  habits  are  not  suited  to  all  kinds 
of  men.  The  hours  of  rising,  resting,  work- 
ing that  suit  one  constitution  would  be  the 
death  of  another.  A young  man  died  the 
other  day  from  a cancer  on  the  tongue.’  He  was  poi- 
soned by  tobacco.  Some  smoke  till  they  are  eighty  and 
die  in  comfort.  Some  men  work  best  at  midnight  and 
reach  a vigorous  old  age.  Others  go  to  bed  with  the 
chickens,  and  wear  out  their  constitutions  before  they 
are  forty.  Whisky  and  cotfee  demoralize  some. 
Others  use  both,  and  are  hale  and  hearty  at  threescore 
years  and  ten. 

Mr.  Bryant  was  an  old  man  with  great  health  and 
vigor.  Few  could  adopt  his  habits  with  satisfactory 
results.  An  early  riser,  furiously  exercising  dumb- 
bells, climbing  poles,  or  girating  around  horizontal 
bars,  he  has  found  this  essential  to  his  comfort.  His 
eating  has  been  simplicity  itself.  Oatmeal,  brown 
bread,  and  baked  apples  make  his  breakfast.  No  tea  or 
cotfee  at  any  time.  A three  mile  walk  daily,  with  two 
meals  a day,  in  which  fruit  and  water  abound.  No 
meat  for  breakfast.  Meat  and  fish  for  dinner  ; in  the 
afternoon  a garden  for  diversion,  and  no  literary  work 
after  dark.  The  great  study  of  the  day  follows  the 
morning  meal.  Eating  by  pounds  and  ounces,  and 
living  by  rule,  would  suit  very  few  constitutions. 


SPUMGEOJ^^S  INDUSTRY, 


283 


CYII. 

SPURGEON’S  INDUSTRY. 


HARLES  HADDON  SPURGEON  is  a marked 
business  man.  For  twenty  years  he  has 
preached  to  the  largest  Protestant  congrega- 
tion in  the  world.  His  congregation  would 
be  larger  if  his  house  was  bigger.  Massive  iron  gates, 
high  enough  for  a i^enitentiary,  have  been  erected  to 
keep  people  out.  Spurgeon’s  marvelous  success  has 
been  attributed  to  his  voice,  genius,  orthodoxy  and 
power  of  illustration.  His  business  ability  must  be 
counted  in.  He  runs  his  church  superbly.  There  is 
not  a bank  in  England  conducted  with  more  system. 
He  owns  and  controls  the  Tabernacle,  does  what  he 
pleases  with  the  rentals,  and  if  there  is  any  trouble  the 
church-members  leave  and  Spurgeon  don’t.  He  is  the 
autocrat  of  his  society.  His  elders  and  deacons  are  his 
Cabinet,  doing  his  will.  He  controls  the  funds  of  the 
Lay  College,  and  the  great  donations  to  his  Orphanage 
are  given  to  him  personally.  He  began  his  life-work 
in  the  Sunday-school.  He  preached  at  nineteen,  find- 
ing his  congregation  among  the  lowly.  He  talked 
wherever  he  could  get  people  to  hear  him.  In  barns, 
on  an  anvil,  on  a carpenter’s  bench,  by  the  roadside,  or 
in  a school-house.  His  earnestness  and  force  carried 
everything  before  him.  A rich  Christian  offered  to 
send  him  to  college.  He  refused,  as  he  could  not  spare 
the  time.  A small  country  church  called  him  to  the 
pastorate,  and  he  went  to  work  earnestly  and  zeal- 
ously. 

There  was  a feeble  Baptist  church  in  London.  It 
had  had  a royal  history,  though  now  it  was  reduced 


284 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


to  about  seventy  souls.  This  church  asked  Spurgeon 
to  come  up  and  preach.  He  had  so  little  idea  of  his 
pulpit  abilities  that  he  thought  the  letter  was  not  for 
him,  and  he  gave  it  no  attention.  Soon  a committee 
waited  upon  him,  and  the  boy  preacher  went  into  the 
New  Park  Church  pulpit.  Thirty  persons  listened  to 
the  sermon.  In  a month  a crowd  clamored  around  the 
doors. 

Nothing  would  hold  the  people  of  London  till 
Spurgeon  built  his  huge  tabernacle,  seating  comfort- 
ably live  thousand  people.  His  congregation  had  no 
money,  and  he  went  out  to  beg.  He  preached  and  lec- 
tured, and  talked  everywhere  he  could  get  a hearer 
and  a contribution.  He  went  to  Bristol  to  spend  Sun- 
day, and  a nobleman  asked  him  to  dinner.  He  de- 
clined, when  the  nobleman  sent  him  word  that  he  had 
lost  a hundred  pounds  by  his  churlishness.  When  the 
corner-stone  was  laid  the  nobleman’s  check  was  on  the 
foundations.  Should  a costly  church  be  erected  at 
Five  Points,  the  trustees  would  be  the  laughing-stock 
of  the  city  ; yet  the  location  of  Spurgeon’s  great  taber- 
nacle is  scarcely  better.  It  is  on  the  unpopular  side, — 
the  Surrey  side  ; it  is  in  the  midst  of  warehouses,  pub- 
lics, theaters,  factories,  and  a low  population.  All 
London  knows  where  Spurgeon’s  church  is.  The  site 
was  selected  with  an  eye  to  business.  It  is  opposite 
the  old  “ Elephant  and  Castle  tavern.”  London  is  eight 
miles  square,  and  the  leading  omnibuses  draw  up  at 
the  “ Elex-)hant  and  Castle.”  From  the  steps  of  the 
tabernacle  one  can  be  taken  to  any  part  of  the  city. 
Ask  an  omnibus  conductor  or  a cabman  or  a hack- 
driver,  if  he  can  take  you  to  the  “Elephant  and  Cas- 
tle,” he  won’t  say  yes,  he  will  not  say  no  ; but  he  will 
answer,'  “ I can  take  you  to  Spurgeon’s.” 

No  business  man  in  London  relies  so  much,  or  uses 
so  much  the  press,  as  Sxmrgeon.  He  takes  care  that 


T ,B  : 3 T'CUT, 


YOUNG  STOUT,  THE  BANKER. 


285 


all  the  world  shall  know  what  he  is  doing.  When  he 
takes  any  great  step  he  x^lacards  London.  Every  bar- 
room, gin-palace,  garden,  and  place  of  resort,  liames 
with  his  notices.  By  the  means  of  his  popular  teas  he 
makes  friends  of  all  classes.  His  basement  has  ar- 
rangements for  feeding  live  hundred  persons.  All 
classes  have  their  turn.  Policemen  and  sweeps, 
street- walkers  and  costermongers,  newsboys  and  por- 
ters. Spurgeon  has  coals  for  the  shivering,  bread  for 
the  hungry,  medicine  for  the  sick,  rent  for  men  out  of 
work.  If  a i:)Oor  man  or  poor  woman  is  in  trouble  they 
fly  to  Spurgeon.  As  he  walks  from  his  church  to  the 
curbstone,  the  halt,  the  sick,  the  blind,  and  the  sinful, 
form  a line  and  beg  to  kiss  his  hand.  He  is  an  intense 
worker.  He  reads,  writes,  corrects  proof  in  his  coach. 
He  has  five  hundred  lay  students  out  at  work,  and  he 
makes  every  one  preach  to  the  lowly.  He  has  great 
physical  and  moral  courage.  A fanatical  priest  inter- 
rupted him  at  a funeral.  He  was  twice  Spurgeon’s 
size.  Spurgeon  took  him  by  the  collar,  flung  him  down 
stairs,  and  went  on  with  his  work. 


CVIII. 

YOUNG  STOUT,  THE  BANKER. 

HEOHORE  B.  STOUT  was  born  in  1839,  and 
died  1870,  being  thirty-one  years  of  age. 
“ His  sun  went  down  while  it  was  yet  day.” 
The  impression  is,  that  sons  of  rich  men 
seldom  become  rich  ; and  the  sons  of  successful  men 


28G 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


seldom  achieve  success.  Young  Stout  was  an  exception 
to  these  rules.  He  began  life  as  if  his  father  was  a poor 
man,  and  worked  his  way  up  to  eminence  and  fortune 
by  his  own  talents,  toil  and  character.  He  was  un- 
exceptionably  attractive  in  his  personal  address.  He 
overtopped  the  tallest,  and  stood  six  feet  three  inches, 
with  admirable  proportions.  He  had  great  physical 
vigor  and  endurance.  He  never  had  a day’s  illness 
till  he  laid  down  on  his  bed  to  rise  not  again  till  the 
heavens  be  no  more.  Young  as  he  was  when  he  died, 
he  had  achieved  a success  that  usually  attends  a long 
and  prosperous  career  in  trade.  He  stood  in  the  fore 
ranks  of  business  men  in  Yew  York.  On  the  street, 
where  men  are  weighed,  measured  and  known,  he  was 
honored  both  for  his  talents  and  character.  In  the 
Stock  Exchange  he  was  a manager, — a position  reserved 
for  men  of  age  and  experience.  He  was  a member  of 
the  Judicial  Council  of  the  Board,  to  whom  disputes 
and  disagreements  were  referred.  In  this  delicate  re- 
lation he  displayed  commanding  ability,  integrity  that 
could  not  be  warped,  and  such  eminent  fairness  that 
the  decisions  were  received  without  question.  He  had 
power  over  in?u  tliat  was  marvelous.  He  would  enter 
a bank  in  critical  times — a bank  controlled  by  a hard, 
cautious  financier,  and  say,  “I  want  $100,000.” 
have  not  got  it.”  Give  me  your  check.”  I cannot 
do  it.”  “You  must,  I want  the  check  now.  I can’t 
wait.  I can  give  you  the  security  of  the  street.” 
In  every  instance  young  Stout  was  successful  in 
obtaining  the  money  needed.  His  career,  the  steps 
of  his  ascent,  his  methods  of  success,  are  worthy  the 
study  of  every  young  man  who  wishes  to  secure  busi- 
ness re|)utation  and  a fortune. 

Mr.  Stout  entered  the  Free  Academy  in  Yew  York 
when  he  was  fourteen  years  old.  The  same  traits  that  dis- 
tinguished his  business  career  marked  his  school  life. 


YOUNG  STOUT,  THE  BANKER. 


287 


He  was  noted  for  his  manly  character  and  frank  and 
unselfish  spirit.  His  father  wished  him  to  obtain 
a thorough  education  and  pass  through  college.  Theo- 
dore had  other  aims.  He  was  too  active  for  study, 
and  too  restive  to  be  happy  under  the  restraints  of 
school.  He  was  born  a banker  and  loved  the  exhilara- 
tion of  business.  He  was  not  sordid,  his  aim  was  not 
money  ; but  he  purposed  to  secure  an  honorable  posi- 
tion among  commercial  men.  His  father  could  have 
given  him  an  allowance  ; could  have  made  him  an 
ornamental  member  of  his  house,  or  trained  him  in 
genteel  idleness.  He  did  nothing  of  the  kind.  He 
said : “Theodore,  if  you  will  not  go  to  college,  if  you 
will  go  into  trade,  go  out  and  find  a place  for  business 
and  go  at  it.”  A resolute  boy,  active  and  cheery, 
with  a vigorous  constitution,  enthusiastically  searching 
for  work,  would  not  be  long  in  finding  it.  The  father 
said  : “Theodore,  if  you  are  really  going  into  business 
come  into  my  store  ; but  you  must  begin  at  the  bottom 
and  work  your  way  up.” 

Mr.  Stout,  senior,  was  in  the  wholesale  boot  and 
shoe  trade,  and  in  this  line  of  trade  the  son  was  intro- 
duced. The  boy  was  plucky,  and  asked  no  favors. 
He  was  the  first  man  on  the  ground  in  the  morning  and 
the  last  to  leave  at  night.  He  began  as  second  clerk, 
and  opened  and  closed  the  store.  Prom  this  position 
he  was  advanced  to  a salesman.  He  became  exceed- 
ingly  pox^ular  for  his  magnetism,  flow  of  spirits  and 
ability.  He  vras  .always  at  hand  ; to  be  found  when  he 
was  wanted ; never  tired  in  his  work  ; with  a force  of 
character  ready  for  anything.  An  order  was  given  to 
him  and  there  was  no  more  to  be  said  about  it.  Every- 
body knew  that  young  Stout  would  mind  his  business, 
fill  an  order  with  accuracy,  and  ship  the  goods  in  time, 
by  the  right  conveyance. 

The  senior  Mr.  Stout  concluded  to  leave  business. 


288 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


and  two  clerks  bought  out  the  stock.  They  set  u]3  for 
themselves.  Theodore,  then  eighten  years  old,  joined 
the  hrm.  The  senior  partners  knew  all  about  business, 
or  thought  they  did.  Like  many  others,  the  firm  un- 
dertook to  improve  on  the  prudent  and  successful 
methods  on  which  the  business  had  been  run.  Like  a 
pilot  who  leaves  the  safe  lighthouse  on  the  shore,  at- 
tempts to  sail  by  a lantern  hung  from  his  bowsprit,  the 
concern  went  ashore.  Theodore  gave  up  everything 
he  had,  with  all  his  personal  property,  and  effected  a 
settlement  at  fifty  cents  on  a dollar.  Some  of  his 
heaviest  creditors  refused  to  compromise.  His  ability 
and  integrity  stood  in  the  way.  Men  said:  “Stout 
will  come  out  of  this  all  right.  His  little  account  will 
bear  salting.”  And  they  salted  it  down. 

His  integrity,  industry,  perseverance,  and  high  com- 
mercial faith,  were  connected  with  other  traits  that  aided 
in  his  success.  He  had  great  executive  ability  and 
great  command  over  men.  He  was  interested  in  the 
Star  Arms  Company.  There  was  a revolt  among  the 
workmen,  and  the  manager  could  do  nothing  with  them. 
The  company  had  a large  contract,  and  a strike  would 
be  ruinous.  Theodore  was  sent  up  to  see  what  he 
could  do  towards  quelling  the  disturbance.  He  ordered 
all  the  authorities  out  of  the  yard,  closed  the  gates, 
gathered  the  workmen  together,  500  strong,  bade  them 
tell  their  grievances,  justified  them  in  what  they  had  a 
right  to  complain  of,  made  a ]Droposition  to  them,  and 
in  less  than  an  hour  from  the  time  that  the  gates  were 
closed,  the  work  started  with  every  man  in  his  place — 
the  crowd  shouting  : “We’ll  go  to  work  for  you,  Mr. 
Stout,  but  we  wouldn’t  budge  an  inch  for  those  other 
fellows.” 

He  studied  financiering,  and  made  himself  a pro- 
ficient in  that  wonderful  art.  He  became  a great  favorite 
with  the  customers  of  the  bank  of  which  his  father 


YOUNG  STOUT,  THE  BANKER. 


289 


was  president,  did  liis  work  without  shrinking,  gave  a 
helping  hand  to  his  brother  clerks  who  were  behind- 
hand or  who  wanted  to  be  absent.  The  Shoe  and 
Leather  Bank  opened  a branch  in  Wall  street.  Over 
this  department  young  Stout  was  placed  with  a salary 
of  $5,000  a year.  At  the  head  of  this  department  he 
developed  that  marvelous  organizing  power  which  dis- 
tinguished his  brief  but  brilliant  career. 

He  chafed  as  a subordinate,  and  resolved  to  be  master 
of  a business  for  himself.  He  refused  a salary  and  a 
position  in  the  bank  at  $10,000  a year,  offered  by  the 
directors,  and  refused  to  be  a subordinate  at  any  price. 
One  morning  he  presented  himself  at  his  father’ s desk, 
and  asked  a loan  of  $50,000,  with  which  to  commence 
a banking  businessmen  the  street.  Beside  the  ordinary 
perils  of  stock  transactions,  there  were  extraordinary 
obstacles  in  the  waj^  of  this  young  man.  Old  debts 
hung  over  him  which  shrewd  men  had  kept  alive.  No 
man  could  do  a successful  stock  business  unless  his 
financial  record  was  clear.  Sure  of  a capital,  3^oung 
Stout  addressed  himself  to  removing  the  obstacles  that 
stood  in  his  way.  Solitary  and  alone  he  began  his 
task.  No  one  could  aid  him,  and  his  purpose  demand- 
ed all  the  energy  of  his  well-rounded  life.  He  faltered 
not,  neither  was  he  faint-hearted.  When  he  opened 
his  banking-house  a few  months  later,  no  living  man 
had  a claim  upon  him.  He  held  a receipt  in  full  for 
all  forms  of  indebtedness.  He  took  the  confidence  of 
the  street  at  the  start,  and  held  it  to  the  last.  He  had 
no  favorites  in  business,  but  enforced  one  rule  on  the 
rich  and  poor.  At  the  close  of  the  first  year’ s business 
his  house  on  Broad  street  was  well  known  from  the 
Atlantic  slope  to  the  coast  of  the  Pacific.  He  was  cool,, 
autocratic,  resolute,  immovable  in  business. 

As  a member  of  the  judicial  committee  of  the  Stock 
Exchange,  his  rare  executive  ability  came  out.  There 
19 


290 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


was  scarcely  a day  passed  wlien  lie  was  not  selected  as 
a referee  or  an  abitrator  in  settling  difficulties  between 
brokers.  His  rule  was  to  bind  all  parties:  ‘‘You 
must  accept  my  decision,”  lie  would  say,  “and  beat 
peace  among  yourselves  afterwards.”  He  had  no  fa- 
vorites, and  settled  every  case  on  its  own  merits. 
The  oldest  and  richest  bankers  chose  him  as  a judge 
on  important  matters.  When  he  saw  that  a case  was 
clearly  against  a man,  he  would  go  to  him  privately 
and  advise  him  to  settle,  assuring  him  that  he  should 
decide  the  case  against  him  ; and  every  man  knew  that 
he  would  do  just  what  he  said. 

A heavy  operator,  whose  custom  was  very  valuable, 
gave  Mr.  Stout  a large  order.  “Ho  you  wish  me  to 
carry  that  stock  for  you?”  “Cbrtainly.”  “Then 
you  must  put  up  a margin.”  “ A margin ! I am  worth 
two  millions,  and  sha’n’t  fail  to-night.”  “ If  you  were 
worth  ten  millions  it  would  make  no  difference  in  my 
house.  I have  but  one  rule  for  the  rich  and  poor. 
We  carry  stock  for  no  man  without  a margin.”  The 
gentleman  went  out.  The  dealers  hanging  round  the 
office  said  : “Stout,  you  are  a fool ! That  man  is  the 
heaviest  operator  on  the  street ; his  business  is  a for- 
tune ; there  isn’t  a banking-house  in  New  York  that 
wouldn’t  have  jumped  at  the  chance  of  filling  that 
order.”  “I  shall  break  the  rules  of  my  house  for  no 
man’s  custom,  and  you  will  see  I am  right  in  the  long 
run.”  Before  three  o’clock  the  capitalist  returned  and 
said  : “ How  much  margin  do  you  want  ?”  “Ten  or 

fifteen  per  cent.”  “ Send  out  and  get  what  you  want.” 
The  young  banker  did  so,  and  secured  fifteen  per  cent. 
“ You  were  right,  young  man,”  he  said.  “ I know  my 
money  will  be  safe  in  your  hands.  You  shall  have  my 
business  and  all  that  I can  control.” 

Asa  banker,  Mr.  Stout  was  very  successful.  In  his 
frank  and  manly  way  he  said  : “I  have  been  success- 


TOUNQ  STOUT,  THE  BANKER. 


291 


fill  and  have  made  money.  I am  making  money  fast. 
I have  covenanted  with  God  that  it  shall  never  be 
hoarded.”  His  first  business  was  to  search  out  and 
pay  up  all  his  former  indebtedness.  The  failure  was 
not  his  fault,  but  came  about  through  the  mistaken 
judgment  of  the  elder  partners.  All  those  men  were 
still  poor  and  could  do  nothing.  The  creditors  of  the 
old  house  and  managers  of  institutions  to  whom  the 
firm  was  indebted  were  astonished  to  receive  a letter 
from  young  Stout,  saying  : “I  propose  to  pay  you  the 
full  balance  of  your  claim,  with  interest  to  date,  al- 
though legally  discharged  from  the  obligation.”  He 
was  a minor  when  the  indebtedness  was  created.  He 
gave  up  all  his  personal  property,  and  borrowed  money 
to  make  up  the  percentage  his  creditors  were  wulling 
to  rec  five.  No  one  had  a legal  claim  upon  him.  Yet 
the  first  use  he  made  of  his  money  was  to  square  him- 
self morally  and  financially  with  the  world. 

Many  young  men  regard  religion  with  distrust  from 
a business  standpoint.  Its  obligations,  restraints  and 
principles  are  supposed  to  interfere  with  the  dash  and 
enterprise  needful  for  a successful  prosecution  of  trade. 
No  such  fears  entered  into  the  mind  of  young  Stout. 
In  early  life  he  became  a Christian,  and  entered  into 
church  life  and  Christian  labor  with  the  intense  enthu- 
siasm of  his  nature.  He  entered  into  the  Sunday- 
school  vrork  as  a scholar,  advanced  as  a teacher,  and 
closed  his  brilliant  career  as  a superintendent.  In  his 
church  life  he  ‘‘minded  not  high  things,  but  conde- 
scended to  men  of  low  estate.” 

He  was  no  idler  in  business  or  in  worship.  He  neg- 
lected nothing,  and  to  his  over-work  probably  his  sud- 
den decease  is  to  be  attributed.  The  Board  of  Brokers 
proposed  to  attend  the  funeral  of  Mr.  Nathans,  who 
was  so  tragically  murdered  in  his  bed.  Young  Stout 
was  one  of  the  number  aj)pointed  to  do  honor  to  the 


293 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


late  member  of  the  Stock  Exchange.  He  stood  two 
hours  in  a torrid  sun.  At  the  close  of  the  funeral  ser- 
vices, Mr.  Stout  returned  as  usual  to  his  summer  home 
at  Madison.  After  dinner  he  took  a drive  with  his  wife 
and  child ; on  his  return  he  was  suddenly  taken  ill, 
and  after  live  days’  delirium  he  passed  away.  His 
mother,  to  whom  he  was  fondly  attached,  was  far  away 
in  a house  of  affliction  in  the  interior  of  the  State.  She 
hastened  on  the  wings  of  affection  to  his  bed-side,  but 
her  beloved  son  could  give  her  no  token  of  recognition. 

His  funeral  was  one  of  the  most  honorable  known  to 
the  city.  Eminent  merchants  and  men  in  eminent  sta- 
tions assisted  in  bearing  young  Stout  to  his  burial. 
The  Bishop  of  his  church,  with  eminent  clergymen, 
officiated.  Men  mourned  over  him  ‘^as  one  mourneth 
for  his  only  son,  and  were  in  bitterness  for  him  as  one 
that  is  in  bitterness  for  his  first-born.”  ‘‘And  there 
was  great  mourning  as  the  mourning  of  Hadadrimmon 
in  the  valley  of  Megiddon.” 


CIX. 

HOUSE  OF  PHELPS  & CO. 

R.  PHELPS  is  the  founder  of  the  great  fur- 
niture house  of  Phelps  & Co.  He  is  a lead- 
ing man  in  one  of  the  great  denominations  ; 
one  of  the  founders  of  Howard  Mission; 
President  of  the  Baptist  Board  of  Education,  and  of 
the  Sunday-School  Union.  There  is  hardly  a charity 
in  New  York  with  which  he  is  not  identified  His 
father  was  a farmer — a man  of  sturdy,  common  sense. 


HOUSE  OF  PHELPS  & GO. 


293 


and  he  gave  his  boy  many  lessons  of  practical  wisdom. 
Two  maxims  the  lad  never  forgot : “Be  master  of  your 
own  business — never  work  for  anybody  else.”  “ Own 
your  farm,  if  you  are  a farmer ; own  your  stock  of 
goods  if  you  are  a trader.”  In  the  family  council 
William  was  to  be  a farmer.  The  boy  resolved  to  learn 
a trade,  and  he  was  put  out  to  cabinet-making. 
He  worked  a week  when  his  father  brought  down  his 
trunk.  He  found  the  lad  on  the  curb-stone,  apron  in 
hand,  ready  to  go  home.  “What’s  the  matter?”  said 
the  father.  ‘ ‘ I don’ t like  the  place.  Every  day  I have 
to  go  out  and  bring  in  the  ‘ eleven  o’  clock  ’ and  the 
‘four  o’clock ’ for  the  men,  and  I will  not  buy  rum  for 
anybody.”  “ There  is  no  shame  in  coming  out  of  bad 
company,”  the  farmer  said,  and  the  boy  rode  home. 
It  was  not  difficult  to  find  a place  for  a smart,  resolute, 
intelligent  boy.  He  was  soon  apprenticed  to  a cabinet- 
maker, where  the  work  was  hard  and  the  pay  x)oor. 
Small  as  the  salary  was, — thirty  dollars  a year, — young 
Phelps  laid  the  whole  of  it  up,  and  earned  his  clothes 
by  extra  work.  As  his  freedom  approached,  his  master 
encouragingly  assured  him  that  he  should  never  want 
employment.  The  self-reliant  boy  told  him  that  he 
proposed  to  work  for  no  one  but  William  Phelps  ; if 
he  made  a bureau,  a bedstead,  or  a table,  he  would  sell 
it  and  secure  the  profit. 

In  a small  town  near  Boston,  Phelps  set  up  busi- 
ness. He  filled  his  room  with  furniture  and  attracted 
visitors.  A wealthy  man  offered  Phelps  capital  if  he 
would  take  his  son  as  partner.  The  young  man  was  a 
dandy  and  was  attracted  by  the  elegant  show-room. 
Phelps  had  a plain  talk  with  the  young  man.  “You 
know  nothing  about  cabinet-making.  You  look  into 
my  show-room,  examine  the  furniture,  and  think  the 
trade  is  genteel.  It  is  nothing  of  the  kind  ; it  is  hard 
work,  dirty  and  repulsive.  You  must  work  early  and 


294 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


late ; load  and  unload  lumber ; saw,  plane,  lift,  and 
toil  like  a mill-liorse.  You  must  load  your  wagon  at 
niglit,  get  up  before  day-break  and  feed  and  harness  youi 
horse,  drive  your  furniture  to  your  customer’s,  any- 
where within  a circuit  of  thirty  miles,  drive  home, 
groom  your  horse,  and  be  ready  for  your  next  day’ s 
work.  If  you  cannot  do  this,  you  cannot  succeed  in 
my  business.” 

Young  Phelps  soon  outgrew  the  trade  of  a country 
town.  He  thought  a large  city  would  suit  him,  and  he 
started  out  on  a prospecting  tour.  He . visited  New 
York,  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore.  In  New  York  he 
secured  a store  on  liberal  terms,  took  a refusal,  and 
came  home  for  the  funds.  He  encountered  a furious 
opposition  from  his  family.  • It  was  madness,  they 
said,  to  throw  away  a good  business  for  the  uncertainties 
of  city  traffic.  The  scheme  could  lead  to  nothing  but 
disaster.  The  risks  were  heavy,  the  gains  uncertain, 
and  New  York  was  a bad  jjlace  for  a young  man. 
Phelps  was  resolute  and  defied  the  opposition.  “ I will 
go  anyhow.  I will  not  be  deterred  till  all  the  evils  you 
predict  come  upon  me.  If  you  won’t  help  me  I will 
go  alone  and  fight  the  battle  out  by  myself.”  The  New 
York  store  was  taken,  and  every  obligation  met  at 
maturity  without  recourse  to  his  friends. 

So  far  Phelps  had  carried  out  all  his  plans.  He 
would  have  a trade,  would  be  his  own  master,  and 
would  trade  in  the  city.  He  next  addressed  himself  to 
the  cherished  plan  of  owning  the  stock  of  goods.  He 
accomjjlished  this  before  the  great  disaster  of  ’ 37,  and 
so  escaped  the  general  ruin.  He  had  no  debts,  no 
notes  to  pay,  the  stock  of  goods  ■‘vas  his  own,  and  he 
would  turn  the  key  in  the  door  when  he  pleased  and 
wait  till  better  times.  He  took  special  care  of  his 
credit  and  kept  it  gilt-edged.  If  he  wanted  money  on 
tliiee  months  he  would  borrow  it  on  four,  and  take  up 


ROCKS  IN  THE  CHANNEL. 


295 


tlie  note  a month  before  it  was  due.  His  theory  was 
that  time  was  nothing  to  a creditor,  exactness  in  pay- 
ment everything.  He  discounted  his  own  paper,  paid 
his  twelve  months’  notes  in  nine,  and  took  up  his  six 
months’  paper  in  four.  He  was  surety  for  no  one  ; he 
even  refused  to  indorse  the  notes  he  offered  for  dis- 
count. He  would  say,  ‘‘You  must  take  these  notes 
on  your  own  judgment.”  Such  was  the  confidence  of 
the  bank  in  his  shrewdness  and  integrity  that  the  paper 
was  usually  accepted.  He  saw  the  ruin  of  outside  ven- 
tures, and  firmly  resolved  to  stick  to  his  legitimate 
trade.  No  store  was  opened  so  early,  none  closed  so 
late.  Mr.  Phelps  sold  many  a bill  of  goods  before 
breakfast,  and  turned  the  key  late  at  night  on  the  last 
customer.  A man  who  had  had  no  success  in  trade, 
said  to  an  old  merchant : “To  what  does  William 
Phelps  owe  his  great  success?”  “You  can  see  for 
yourself.  The  shutters  are  doAvn  first  in  the  morning, 
and  up  last  at  night.  He  is  always  to  be  found  in  the 
store,  always  prompt  and  courteous.  He  sells  honest 
goods  for  honest  money  ; he  is  close-moutlied,  keeps 
his  own  counsel,  and  that  is  half  the  battle.” 


CX. 


KOCKS  m THE  CHANNEL. 

CARCELY  a man  fails  unless  he  is  dabling 
in  outside  matters,  or  carries  more  trade 
than  his  capital  will  warrant.  If  a man  is 
doing  a good  business  he  will  tie  up  his 
surplus  or  take  a venture  on  the  street.  Men  generally 


296 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


fail  with  a large  amount  of  property  in  their  hands. 
They  are  so  greedy  and  avaricious  that  they  are  not 
content  with  small  and  sure  gains,  but  risk  all  they 
have  in  one  trade  and  so  lose  all.  In  his  day  Henry 
Keep  was  one  of  the  most  potent  men  that  ever  ruled 
the  stock  market.  He  ran  away  from  the  poorhouse, 
and  one  cent  reward  was  offered  for  his  return.  He 
was  a hotel  waiter,  a porter,  and  a hackman.  He 
began  banking  by  buying  Canadian  shillings  for 
twenty  cents,  and  selling  them  in  Hew  York  for 
twenty-five,  bringing  his  merchandise  over  the  river  in  a 
sack.  He  opened  a small  broker’s  office  in  Watertown, 
and  was  distinguished  for  his  business  capacity  and 
level-headedness.  He  attributed  his  success  to  an  early 
motto:  ‘^Always  coojd  your  chickens;”  that  is,  take 
care  of  your  small  gains.  When  he  got  money  he 
violated  his  own  rule,  went  into  the  wildest  specula- 
tions, hazarded  all  his  gains,  and  passed  out  of  sight. 

Fanny  Kemble  gives  her  idea  of  the  comforts  of 
catering  to  the  public  : “ The  stage  is  a business  which 
is  incessant  excitement,  and  factitious  emotion,  un- 
worthy of  a man  ; a business  which  is  public  exhibition 
unworthy  of  a woman.  Never  have  I presented  myself 
before  an  audience  without  a shrinking  feeling  of 
reluctance,  or  withdrawn  from  their  presence  without 
thinking  the  excitement  I had  undergone  unhealthy, 
and  the  personal  exhibition  odious.”  Miss  Mitford 
wrote  for  bread.  She  had  on  her  hands  a poor  spend- 
thrift father.  Of  the  slavery  of  literature,  she  speaks 
these  bitter  words  : would  rather  serve  in  a shop, 

rather  scour  fioors,  rather  nurse  children,  than  undergo 
this  unwomanly  publicity.  I am  chained  to  my  desk, 
eight,  ten,  twelve  hours  a day,  a mere  drudge,  writing 
for  hard  money.” 


ROCKS  m THE  CHANNEL. 


297 


Brooklyn  had  the  chance  of  securing  the  finest 
driveway  in  the  world,  except  Naples.  The  laying  out 
of  her  fine  Park  was  in  charge  of  a man  wholly  desti- 
tute of  taste.  He  was  originally  a dirt  contractor,  and 
made  money  in  railroads.  He  had  not  taste  enough  to 
keep  his  own  grounds  in  order,  and  his  blank  high 
board  fences  made  that  a deformity  that  might  have 
been  a beauty.  The  high  points  of  the  Park  that 
would  have  made  a roadway  of  unsurpassed  magnifi- 
cence, and  secured  a x)anorama  of  beauty  for  a drive 
of  six  or  seven  miles  were  assigned  to  the  cows  and  the 
dairymaids,  and  the  travel  located  in  the  valleys  and 
marshes  of  the  park. 

A You^^G  MAN  married  a rich  man’s  daughter.  He 
seemed  to  have  no  aim  in  life,  and  nobody  supposed 
he  would  amount  to  anything.  One  morning  his 
father-in-law  announced  to  the  family  that  he  was 
ruined.  The  decks  had  been  swept  by  a gale,  and  the 
sails  blown  to  ribbons.  The  listless,  inefficient  young 
man  said  nothing.  The  next  day  he  went  down-town 
and  secured  a place  in  a banking-house.  He  exhibited 
marvelous  financial  ability,  became  allied  with  an 
eminent  banker,  took  a front  rank  among  business 
men,  and  is  to-day  a leading  and  successful  broker  on 
the  street,  giving  an  elegant  support  to  his  entire 
household. 

Besides  the  commercial  and  social  perils  that  beset 
a business  man,  he  is  often  a prey  of  adroit  rogues. 
There  is  a set  of  men  in  all  large  cities  who  lire  by 
preying  on  business  men.  They  go  in  droves,  have  an 
organization,  and  bring  intellect  and  cunning  into 
service  to  entrap  the  unwary.  These  men  do  not  live 
in  the  slums  or  rookeries  of  the  city.  They  live  in 
palaces,  and  fare  sumptuously  every  day.  They  em- 


208 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


ploy  women  who  dress  well,  and  move  in  the  best 
society,  often  glittering  with  diamonds,  in  silk  and 
satin.  The  dangerous  women  get  ujj  charity  balls,  and 
are  the  life  of  fashionable  sociables.  This  class  are 
familiar  with  the  habits  of  prominent  business  men. 
They  know  their  outgoing  and  incoming,  and  this 
knowledge  is  often  stock  in  trade. 

A young  man  was  at  the  head  of  a large  cash  in- 
stitution. He  often  remained  after  oiRce  hours  to  do 
a little  private  writing.  One  day  he  lifted  his  eyes 
from  his  paper,  and  saw  in  front  of  him  a well-dressed, 
modest-looking  woman.  ‘‘Excuse  me,  sir,  I want  to 
show  you  some  books. “ I do  not  wish  to  look  at 
any.”  “It  is  very  hard  for  a woman  to  get  a living  ; 
she  has  to  resort  to  all  sorts  of  devices.”  “ Won’t  you 
please  retire,  madam  ? I am  very  greatly  i^ressed  for 
time.”  “No,  I won’t,  unless  you  give  me  ten  dollars. 
In  ten  minutes  it  will  be  thirty  dollars.  In  twenty 
minutes  I’ll  scream.”  At  that  instant  a burly  Irish- 
man entered,  seized  the  woman  by  the  waist,  and  landed 
her  on  the  pavement.  A touch  of  the  footbell  brought 
the  timely  interruption. 

A PROMINENT  LAWYER  was  late  in  his  office.  A 
woman  in  costly  apparel,  with  manners  very  engaging, 
begged  the  privilege  of  a personal  interview.  A sor- 
rowful story  was  told  that  deeply  touched  the  coun- 
selor. To  prepare  for  a suit  the  lawyer  visited  the 
woman  at  her  room.  At  a proper  time  the  mask  was 
thrown  off,  and  it  cost  the  lawyer  ten  thousand  dollars 
to  get  rid  of  his  client. 

The  Banks  close  business  at  three  o’clock.  It  was 
a iDresident’s  custom  to  remain  till  five.  He  was  a m^n 
of  wealth  and  of  great  repute.  One  day  after  bank 


PBOFESSOR  J.  JAY  WATSOK 


299 


hours  a woman  walked  into  the  directors’  room,  closed 
the  door,  and  stood  erect  in  front  of  the  table  at  which 
the  president  was  writing.  She  was  an  elegant  woman 
in  costly  attire,  and  desired,  she  said,  to  see  about 
some  investments.  Before  she  had  stated  her  case,  a 
brutal  fellow,  with  the  look  of  a prize-fighter,  walked 
in,  laid  his  hand  on  the  shoulder  of  the  woman,  ex- 
claiming : “ What  are  you  doing  here  this  time  of  day, 
I would  like  to  know?”  Just  then  the  cashier  stex)ped 
out  of  the  private  room,  and  put  an  end  to  the  little 
game  of  blackmailing. 

Schemers  find  field  for  their  work  in  fashionable 
hotels.  Elderly  men  with  money  are  favorite  victims. 
Drawing-room,  hallway,  and  dinner- table  acquaintan- 
ces are  formed,  walks  are  suggested,  theaters  visited, 
supper  at  restaurants  follow,  when  the  father  or  hus- 
band appears  suddenly,  and  the  game  ends  usually  in 
the  payment  of  money.  Few  people  are  prosecuted  in 
the  panel  game,  for  the  reason  that  few  victims  give 
their  names  or  appear  to  prosecute,  and  in  almost  every 
case  are  found  in  company  that  few  are  willing  to  have 
exposed. 


CXI. 

PROF.  J.  JAY  WATSOX. 

ROF.  WATSON  is  a well-known  teacher  of 
music  and  musical  director.  He  founded, 
by  an  act  of  theLegislature  of  New  York,  the 
University  of  Music  and  other  Liberal  Arts. 
The  objects  of  the  University  were  so  practical  and  benefi- 


800 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


cent  that  the  charter  received  the  universal  approval  of 
the  general  court.  The  objects  were  to  secure  for  the 
students  of  the  beautiful,  liberal,  and  useful,  the  ad- 
vantages which  universities  of  philosophy  and  science 
bestow.  Prof.  Watson  is  a magnetic  teacher  and  suc- 
ceeds where  others  fail.  No  pupils  are  too  young  and 
none  too  old,  on  his  theory,  to  become  proficient  in  the 
divine  art  of  music.  His  own  son  was  a prodigy  at 
five  years  of  age,  and  performed  on  the  piano  at  public 
concerts.  Christian  B.  Morrison,  a wealthy  merchant 
of  New  York,  began  the  study  of  the  piano  and  guitar 
at  the  age  of  fifty-nine,  and  made  successful  progress 
under  Prof.  Watson  for  several  years. 

As  an  organizer  Prof.  Watson  has  no  equal.  All 
attempts  to  get  up  a Centennial  concert  were  a failure 
till  he  came  to  the  rescue.  Himself  and  daughter  as 
solo  artists  not  only  crowded  Steinway  Hall,  but  filled 
it  with  enthusiasm.  How  substantial  the  results  of 

f 

the  concert  were,  two  letters  from  Gov.  Bigler  will 
show.  The  one  a card  of  thanks  ; the  other  a letter  of 
introduction  to  Director-General  Goshorn  of  the  Cen- 
tennial Commission. 

Cet^teivnial  Headquakters. 

St.  Nicholas  Hotel,  N.  Y.,  April  24th,  1875. 

Prof.  J.  Jay  Watso^v  : My  Dear  Sir: — I embrace 
the  first  leisure  moment  to  tender  you  my  sincere 
thanks  for  the  efficient  manner  in  which  you  managed 
the  Centennial  entertainment  in  Steinway  Hall,  on 
Saturday  evening  last.  Without  your  skillful  aid  I 
fear  we  should  have  failed  to  meet  the  public  expecta- 
tion. And  you  will  indulge  me  in  the  expression  of 
my  sincere  feelings,  when  I say,  that  from  the  begin- 
ning to  the  end  of  this  matter  your  generous  and  skill- 
ful direction,  not  less  than  your  exquisite  performance 


PROFESSOR  J.  JAY  WATSON. 


301 


on  the  violin,  has  commanded  my  unqualified  admira- 
tion. With  sincere  esteem,  I remain  yours  truly, 

Wm  Bigler, 

Centennial  Manager. 

Hon.  a.  T.  Goshoen  : Dear  Sir : — This  note  will 
be  presented  to  you  by  Prof.  J.  Jay  Watson,  who  is 
one  of  the  most  eminent  teachers  of  music  in  this  city. 
It  was  he  who  had  charge  of  the  great  Centennial 
demonstration  at  Steinwaj^  Hall.  He  not  only  managed 
the  musical,  but  the  business  department  with  remark- 
able skill.  He  is  a gentleman  of  tireless  energy  and 
great  diligence  in  whatever  he  undertakes.  He  has 
been  a firm  friend  of  the  Centennial  from  the  beginning, 
and  I bespeak  for  him  your  si^ecial  courtesy  and  con- 
sideration. With  sincere  respect,  I remain  yours, 

William  Bigler. 

Prof.  Watson  was  born  in  Gloucester,  Essex 
county.  Mass.  His  father  and  mother  were  Robert 
and  Elizabeth  G.  Watson.  He  was  the  youngest  of 
ten  children,  all  of  whom  possessed  extraordinary 
musical  talent.  This  was  inherited  from  his  parents, 
who  were  able  exponents  of  the  divine  art.  Watson 
evinced  an  intense  love  for  music  when  a child.  He 
sang  popular  airs  when  three  years  old,  and  accompa- 
nied himself  on  an  old-fashioned  “ Yankee  tin  baking 
oven.”  At  eight  years  of  age,  John  made  his  first 
voyage  with  his  brother,  who  was  master  of  a fishing- 
schooner. 

He  was  well  whipped  at  school  by  a well-meaning 
pedagogue,  as  he  developed  his  musical  idiosyncracies, 
and  whistled  and  drummed  out  his  crude  ideas  on  his 
desk.  In  after  years  his  kind  old  teacher  used  to  say  ; 
‘‘  John,  I did  not  understand  you.”  One  day  he  heard 
a country  violinist  perform.  His  ambition  was  fired  to 


303 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


own  a violin.  His  family  were  religious,  and  had 
serious  objections  to  liis  playing  on  so  wicked  an  in- 
strument as  a fiddle.  But  the  young  enthusiast  was 
the  victor,  and  having  earned  some  money,  was  per- 
mitted to  purchase  the  coveted  instrument.  His 
genius  developed  itself  in  his  rapid  progress  on  the  in- 
strument. He  attracted  the  attention  of  the  towns- 
people and  musicians  of  note.  He  was  constantly  in 
demand  at  country  fairs  and  parties,  and  though  his 
pay  was  small,  his  performances  were  remunerative.  He 
earned  money  enough  to  place  himself  under  the  in- 
struction of  Manuel  Fenalossa,  an  eminent  teacher. 

His  progress  under  this  master  soon  warranted  his 
appearance  in  public,  and  he  had  an  eminent  success. 

His  intense  application  brought  on  a severe  and  dan- 
gerous illness,  which  laid  him  at  death’ s door. 

On  the  recovery  of  his  health,  a new  life  dawned 
on  young  Watson.  He  was  selected  to  lead  the  music 
with  his  violin  in  the  church.  If  the  church  indorsed 
the  violin,  the  family  could  do  no  less.  Out  of  grati- 
tujie  for  his  services,  the  religious  society  j^resented 
him  with  a superb  violin.  When  a lad,  his  pluckiness 
and  persistency  in  following  what  he  deemed  to  be 
right,  was  as  apparent  as  in  his  more  mature  years. 

On  a dark  and  stormy  night  he  drove  through  Hock- 
port.  His  sleigh  struck  a large  edge  stone  that  had 
fallen  from  a cart,  and  overturned.  Watson  was  thrown 
on  the  frozen  ground,  his  horse  was  killed  and  his 
sleigh  damaged.  The  next  morning  he  went  after  the 
authorities  with  his  usual  vigor.  Lonnson  Nash,  a 
well-known  lawyer,  was  his  counsel,  and  after  a hard 
fight,  he  obtained  the  full  amount  of  damages  from  the 
town.  The  lawyer,  speaking  of  his  plucky  boy,  said  : 

“He  has  as  much  business  as  musical  capacity.” 
Every  Gloucester  boy  takes  to  fishing,  as  the  ducks 
take  to  water.  John  was  no  exception.  In  his  fre-  % 


PROFESSOR  J.  JAY  WATSON. 


303 


quent  trips  on  the  fishing  vessels  he  took  his  violin 
with  him  for  practice. 

On  one  of  these  cruises,  an  event  occurred  that 
changed  the  whole  course  of  his  life.  His  vessel  was 
lying  at  anchor  off  the  coast  of  Maine.  Watson  came 
on  deck  with  his  violin  to  amuse  the  fishermen  on  the 
vessels  at  anchor.  Captain  0.  H.  Gross,  master  and 
owner  of  the  schooner  ‘‘Rival,”  of  Truro,  Mass., 
put  off  his  boat,  came  on  board,  introduced  himself, 
and  asked  for  the  artist  who  was  such  a proficient 
on  the  violin.  The  young  artist  presented  himself, 
and  the  two  musicians,  for  Gross  was  no  mean  per- 
former, became  fast  friends. 

The  season  of  1851  found  Watson  on  board  the 
“Rival”  as  first  officer.  The  crew  was  a musical  one. 
Capt.  Gross,  violinist  and  vocalist,  Watson,  violinist 
and  vocalist,  Adrian  Lufkin,  violinist,  George  Urqu- 
hart,  violinist,  Hiram  S.  Buffington,  violincellist,  with 
two  sailors  and  a colored  cook.  The  cook  owned  a 
fiddle.  Some  one  greased  his  bow,  and  he  took  the 
insult  so  much  to  heart  that  he  left  the  vessel  at  the 
first  opportunity.  The  “Rival”  made  a splendid  cruise, 
and  the  crew  were  a merry -hearted  set ; but  the  dread- 
ful gale  of  October  3, 1851,  overtook  her.  Many  of  the 
fleet  were  wrecked.  Hundreds  of  poor  fishermen  found 
a watery  grave.  The  ‘ ‘ Rival  ’ ’ barely  escaped  founder- 
ing, and  was  stranded  on  Prince  Edward’s  Island.  The 
sea  made  a clean  sweep  over  her,  and  one  of  the  sailors 
was  thrown  into  the  yawning  gulf,  by  the  main  boom 
sweeping  the  quarter-deck.  Watson,  regardless  of  his 
own  safety,  seized  the  rope,  ran  to  the  leeward,  and  by 
superhuman  efforts  saved  the  poor  fellow’s  life.  John 
Conroy,  an  eccentric  character,  an  Irishman,  who  saw 
the  landing  of  the  crew,  thus  described  the  scene  to  the 
magistrate  who  settled  the  affairs  of  the  wreck  : “ Och, 
honey,  have  yees  heard  the  news  ? and  would  ye  belave 


304 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


it,  darlin’,  there  is  a little  schooner  called  the  ‘ Rival’ 
just  come  on  shore,  and  she’s  chuckfull  of  feedles  and 
feedlers.” 

The  musical  ability  of  the  crew  was  utilized.  Wat- 
son and  Gross  proceeded  to  Charlottetown,  the  capital 
of  the  island,  and  gave  four  concerts.  The  entertain- 
ments were  such  a success  that  hundreds  could  not 
gain  admittance  to  the  hall.  The  little  company  paid 
their  way  through  the  States  by  giving  public  enter- 
tainments on  their  route.  The  fame  of  the  musical 
fishermen  proceeded  them.  At  Gloucester,  Watson’s 
native  town,  a public  ovation  awaited  them.  One  old 
adage  was  reversed,  that  “A  prophet  hath  no  honor  in 
his  OAvn  country.”  Another  proverb  was  confirmed: 
‘‘Yankee  ingenuity  is  equal  to  any  emergency.” 

Two  events  of  importance  transpired  during  this 
year.  He  heard  Jenny  Lind  sing,  and  her  orchestra 
play.  The  Norwegian  violinist.  Ole  Bull,  was  intro- 
duced to  him,  and  the  wizard  gave  Watson  encourage- 
ment and  advice,  with  a cordial  invitation  to  visit  him 
in  Norway.  He  presented  Watson  with  an  orange, 
the  peel  of  which  the  young  musician  carefully  pre- 
served. On  the  recent  visit  of  Ole  Bull  to  Watson’s 
Musical  Institution  in  New  York,  Watson  showed  him 
the  preserved  orange  peel.  Ole  Bull  showed  his  ap- 
preciation of  the  incident  by  a genuine  Norwegian  hug. 

Almost  unknown.  Prof.  Watson  settled  in  New 
York  as  a teacher  of  music  in  1853.  He  found  some 
kind  friends  whose  assistance  and  fidelity  he  warmly 
cherishes.  John  J.  Herrick,  Esq.,  a noble-hearted  and 
generous  citizen,  furnished  the  young  musician  means 
to  pursue  his  studies  under  favorable  auspices.  In 
1858,  through  the  munificence  of  his  brother-in-law, 
George  F.  Wonson,  Esq.,  he  visited  Europe  and  en- 
joyed the  teaching  of  Franz  Liszt  and  other  European 
celebrities.  On  returning  to  New  York  he  resumed 


PROFESSOR  J.  JAT  WATSOF. 


305 


his  vocation,  and  entered  upon  a career  of  success.  His 
career  has  been  an  unprecedented  one.  His  pupils  gather 
from  all  parts  of  the  country,  their  ages  varying  from 
four  to  seventy. 

Prof.  Watson  induced  Ole  Bull  to  visit  this  coun- 
try for  the  third  time  in  1867.  The  tones  of  his  magic 
violin  were  first  heard  by  a few  friends  in  Prof.  Wat- 
son’s private  music  rooms.  At  a second  musical  re- 
union at  his  own  rooms,  the  professor  and  his  pupils 
presented  to  Mr.  Bull  a costly  and  magnificent  gold 
watch  and  chain.  On  accepting  the  donation.  Ole  Bull 
highly  complimented  Prof.  Watson  on  his  success  as 
a teacher.  In  return  he  presented  his  host  with  a val- 
valuable  Amati  Cremona  violin.  He  added : ‘ ‘ As 
the  violin  is  now  in  Norway,  you  must  accom- 
pany me  thither  in  order  to  receive  it.”  This  invi- 
tation was  accepted,  and  Prof.  Watson  spent  the  sum- 
mer of  1868  at  the  beautiful  country  seat  of  Ole  Bull 
among  the  mountains  of  his  native  land.  This  famous 
violin  is  Pvo  hundred  and  sixty-one  years  old.  It  was 
on  exhibition  at  the  Centennial,  where  Professor  Wat- 
son performed  upon  it  before  the  visitors  in  the  main 
building.  Copies  of  the  violin  have  been  manufactured 
by  Emmons  Hamlin,  which  took  the  highest  honors  of 
the  Centennial.  The  violin  is  valued  at  five  thousand 
dollars  in  gold.  Ole  Bull  parted  with  the  instrument 
as  a mother  would  part  with  her  cherished  child,  as 
this  tender  and  affectionate  letter  accompanying  the 
presentation  shows : 

‘Walesteand,  Norway,  August  10th,  1868. 

‘‘My  Hear  Friend  Watson:  In  handing  you  this 
Antonius  and  Hieronymus  Amati  violin  I promised 
you  in  the  United  States — which  promise  you  so  kindly 
accepted  in  anticipation — you  will  not,  I trust,  be  sur- 
prised if  I entreat  you  to  be  careful  of  the  rare  instru- 

20 


306 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


ment  committed  to  your  charge.  You  can  safely  trust 
your  musical  sentiments  to  this  medium  and  to  the 
genius  of  the  brothers  Amati,  whose  embodied  spirits 
will  console  you  in  sorrow,  temper  you  in  joy,  and 
bring  blessed  ideas  and  good  tidings  to  all  your  friends 
and  hearers. 

“With  the  best  wishes,  I am  your  sincere  friend, 

“Ole  Bull.” 

Professor  Watson  again  visited  Norway  in  1870. 
In  company  with  Ole  Bull  he  visited  the  principal  cities 
of  Europe,  and  was  in  Berlin  and  Paris  during  the 
most  exciting  scenes  of  the  Franco-German  war.  His 
versatility  was  exhibited  in  his  extensive  correspond- 
ence with  American  journals.  Some  of  his  letters  were 
singularly  proxDhetic.  During  this  year  he  managed 
the  musical  business  of  Ole  Bull  in  California,  and  ex- 
hibited consummate  ability.  The  great  artist  was  so 
much  gratified  with  Watson’s  success  that  he  presented 
him  with  a magnificent  watch,  bearing  the  following 
inscription  in  English  and  Norwegian  : “San  Fran- 
cisco, Feb.  27th,  1870.  To  J.  Jay  Watson,  from  his 
friend.  Ole  Bull.”  He  managed  the  Adalaide  Phillips 
Concert  Company,  in  which  Miss  Phillips,  Levy,  the 
cornet- player,  and  Boscovitz,  the  pianist,  were  the 
principal  attractions.  In  founding  the  University  of 
Music  and  other  Liberal  Arts,  Professor  Watson  pro- 
posed to  give  our  youth,  for  the  least  expense,  the  ad- 
vantages of  the  highest  culture,  now  afforded  only  by 
foreign  institutions.  At  the  same  time  to  guide  our 
own  national  taste  and  genius^  forming  a school  dis- 
tinguislied from  the  schools  of  other  eras  and  nation- 
alities. To  secure  this  end,  the  incorporators  unani- 
mously elected  Professor  Watson  the  president  of  the 
university — rolled  on  him  the  responsibility  and  the 
chair  he  now  fills. 


PROFESSOR  J.  JAY  WATSOF. 


307 


Our  artist  is  distinguished  for  liis  unselfishness  and 
noble  acts  of  generosity.  He  is  one  of  the  most 
magnetic  players  of  the  age  on  the  violin.  He  can  fill 
any  house  anywhere.  His  daughter  Annie  is  an  ac- 
comxolished  pianist,  and  accompanies  her  father  at  his 
concerts.  He  has  probably  given  more  free  entertain- 
ments for  benevolent  and  religious  purposes,  than  any 
other  man  in  America.  Shortly  after  the  Modoc  war, 
and  the  tragedy  of  the  lava  beds,  in  which  Canby  and 
Thomas  met  their  sad  fate  at  the  hand  of  Captain  Jack, 
Commissioner  Meacham  arrived  in  New  York.  Among 
the  savages  who  arrived  with  Meacham  was  Win-e-ma, 
the  Indian  woman  who  saved  Meacham’ s life. 
Meecham’s  public  lectures  were  a failure,  and  the 
commissioner  and  the  woman  were  in  actual  want. 
Watson  stepped  up  at  the  close  of  one  of  the  lectures 
and  gave  the  commissioner  a ten-dollar  bill.  The  next 
day  he  contributed  fifty  dollars  more.  He  organized 
a series  of  musical  entertainments  to  relieve  the  em- 
barrassments of  the  party.  Meacham  writes  his  grati- 
tude to  Prof.  Baxter,  of  Boston  : “The  good  Lord  made 
Prof.  J.  Jay  Watson  of  the  best  material  he  had  on 
hand.  I have  tried  him  and  know  what  I say.  He  is 
a man  after  your  own  heart.  Watson  can  make  a 
violin  talk  a little  plainer  than  any  other  man  in  the 
United  States.  Please  receive  him  as  my  friend,  and 
believe  me  ever  yours  truly,  A.  B.  Meacham.” 

The  characteristic  generosity  of  Prof.  Watson 
touched  the  heart  of  Wendell  Philips,  and  drew  out 
the  following  characteristic  letter : “ My  Good  Friend  : 
I shall  remember  j^our  generous  aid  to  our  efforts  for 
the  Indians  in  New  York.  But  if  I could  forget  such 
prompt  and  hearty  friendship,  the  music  with  which 
you  and  your  daughter  wrapt  that  audience  in  Elysium 
will  never  pass  from  memory.  I hear  it  still,  and  still 
wonder  at  the  magic  which  lent  such  freshness  to  old 


308 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


tunes.  The  tears,  the  ecstacy,  the  enthusiasm,  the  pro- 
found silence  which  testified  to  deeper  emotion  still, 
may  be  familiar  to  you,  perhaps,  as  you  daily  magnet- 
ize your  audience.  To  me  they  were  a revelation  of 
power  I had  seldom  seen,  and  altogether  gave  me  an 
hour  of  pleasure  rarely  equalled  in  my  life.  Grate- 
fully yours,  Wendell  Phillips.” 

Prof.  Watson  is  still  a young  man.  The  vigor  and 
elasticity  of  youth  is  yet  upon  him.  His  magnetic 
nature  wins  him  friends.  His  enthusiasm  enables  him 
to  scale  every  barrier.  His  magnetic  touch  and  musi- 
cal genius  captivate  alike  the  learned  and  the  com- 
mon mind.  His  sesthetic  nature  revels  in  art,  and  his 
practical  business  ability  makes  him  one  of  the  best 
managers  of  the  age.  His  unselfishness  has  kept  him 
from  fortune,  but  the  sunny  cheer  of  his  life  no  gold 
can  buy.  He  is  an  admirable  artist,  a benevolent  helper 
of  every  good  work,  and  a true  friend,  a genial  and 
intelligent  companion.  Knocking  about  the  world,  and 
often  roughing  it,  he  has  preserved  a cheerful  siiirit, 
husbanded  his  strength  by  avoiding  excesses,  and 
turning  his  lips  away  from  hot,  rebellious  liquids  that 
drown  a man  in  sorrow.  He  has  yet  a brilliant  future 
before  him  in  which  he  will  increase  his  repute  as  one 
of  the  most  successful  artists  of  the  age. 

Prof.  Watson  is  not  only  a musical  man  but  a 
director.  He  is  both  a composer  and  inventor.  Some 
of  his  compositions  have  been  immensely  popular,  and 
have  secured  an  enormous  sale.  Among  the  most 
celebrated  are  ^‘The  Frolic  of  the  Frogs,”  ‘‘Beauti- 
ful Dream”  Waltz,  “Ben  Lomond,”  “Mondamin,” 
“Happy  New  Year”  March,  “Merry  Christmas,” 
“Hercules”  Waltz,  “Centennial”  Waltz,  “Kenil- 
worth.” “ The  Frolic  of  the  Frogs,”  a descriptive 
w^altz,  was  not  copyrighted  by  the  original  publisher, 
and  was  lost  to  the  author  by  being  published  every- 


CHILDS,  OF  THE  PHILADELPHIA  LEDGER.  309 


where.  ‘‘Ben  Lomond’’  was  a Scotch  air  written  by 
Mr.  Watson,  wdien  a boy,  on  a fishing  vessel.  “ Souve- 
nir of  Happy  Hours  ” is  a collection  of  twenty-four 
duets  for  piano  and  violin.  His  two  most  popular  songs 
are  “Silence  and  Tears ’’and  “Love  Thee,  Dearest.” 
His  chin  rest  is  an  ingenious  and  useful  invention  to 
aid  violinists  in  holding  firmly  the  instrument  while 
playing.  When  a lad  he  kept  constantly  fingering  his 
violin  while  in  his  berth  at  sea,  and  so  secured  that 
touch  and  delicacy,  and  power  of  execution  that  seem 
so  marvelous.  His  rooms  are  crowded  with  presents 
from  his  friends.  Among  the  gifts  peculiarly  dear  to 
him  are  a diamond  pin  and  a gold-headed  cane,  pre- 
sented by  his  pupils  ‘ ‘ in  appreciation  of  his  merits  as 
a teacher  and  his  bearing  as  a gentleman.” 


CXII. 

CHILDS,  OF  THE  PHILDELPHIA  LEDGER. 

HE  Ledger  building  is  a monument  to  liber- 
ality, genius  and  business  ability  of  George 
W.  Childs.  The  publication  ofiice  has  no 
equal  in  the  world.  The  composing-room 
was  built  with  special  reference  to  the  comfort  and 
health  of  the  occupants.  The  machinery  and  fixtures 
are  of  the  newest  invention,  and  combine  to  make  the 
Ledger  printing-office  the  model  of  the  world.  Mr. 
Childs  walked  the  streets  of  Philadelphia  thirty  years 
ago,  as  Franklin  walked  them  a century  before,  friend- 


310 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


less  and  unknown.  He  sought  employment  and  had 
neither  patron  nor  friend.  He  had  a sturdy  independ- 
ence, and  was  restless  under  patronage.  He  developed 
the  faculty  of  trading,  and  at  an  early  period  was  able 
to  take  care  of  himself.  When  at  school  he  made  his 
vacations  profitable.  He  had  a taste  for  literature  and 
a position  in  a book-store  enabled  him  to  follow  his 
bent.  This  love  of  books  was  not  destroyed  by  fifteen 
months’  service  in  the  navy.  He  showed  a great  apti- 
tude for  business,  and  he  exhibited  such  coolness  and 
common  sense  that  when  a mere  youth  he  was  selected 
to  make  purchases  at  the  trade  sales. 

Childs  took  a boyish  fancy  to -the  Ledger  building. 
He  passed  and  repassed  it  on  his  duty,  and  never  with- 
out an  impression  that  some  day  he  would  call  it  his 
own.  At  eighteen  he  set  up  business  for  himself.  He 
had  a few  hundred  dollars,  the  confidence  of  the  trade, 
and  marked  business  ability.  He  had  the  keenness  to 
perceive  that  publishers  made  the  money,  and  not  the 
authors.  He  entered  on  the  book  trade  in  a small 
room  hired  in  the  Ledger  building.  He  secured  the 
interest  of  his  employers  by  making  them  partners  in 
the  profits.  After  years  of  weary  waiting,  watching, 
and  working,  he  obtained  a foothold  and  began  to 
prosper. 

He  never  lost  sight  of  the  Ledger  building,  and  the 
fascination  of  the  daily  press  kept  its  hold  on  him. 
He  learned  what  was  known  to  very  few — that  the 
Ledger  was  in  a critical  condition,  and  that  the  paper 
could  be  bought.  Some  capitalists,  who  had  confidence 
in  the  ability  and  integrity  of  Mr.  Childs,  offered  him 
money  to  make  the  purchase.  He  kept  liis  own  coun- 
sel, and  privately  negotiated  for  the  purchase  of  the 
Ledger  establishment.  One  morning  he  gave  the  city 
a genuine  surprise — he  announced  himself  as  owner  of 
tlie  establishment,  and  that  all  orders  must  emanate 


CHILDS,  OF  THE  PHILADELPHIA  LEDGEP.  311 


from  him.  The  Ledger  was  running  behind-hand  at 
the  rate  of  a hundred  thousand  dollars  a year. 

Mr.  Childs  took  absolute  command,  and  changed 
the  course  of  things  at  once.  He  put  his  office  in  the 
center  of  the  news  room,  and  every  subordinate  was 
under  his  eye.  He  divided  the  city  into  districts, 
placed  each  district  in  charge  of  a carrier,  and  supplied 
the  carriers  before  a paper  was  sold  over  the  counter. 
Without  counting  the  cost  he  turned  out  of  the  Ledger 
all  fancy  and  questionable  advertisements  which  pay 
so  well.  Thousands  of  Ledgers  were  stopped,  and 
letters  came  from  Baltimore,  Hew  York,  and.  Boston, 
advising  Mr.  Childs  not  to  commit  suicide.  The  ulti- 
mate result  of  that  step  shows  that  his  business  judg- 
ment was  correct. 

Having  made  the  Ledger  a family  paper,  the  next 
step  was  to  make  it  a public  necessity — a medium 
through  which  the  masses  could  make  their  wants 
known.  He  watched  the  style  of  business  done  in  his 
own  office.  Well-dressed,  intelligent  people  were 
treated  civilly  ; working  people  and  domestics  were 
snubbed.  His  clerks  refused  to  write  advertisements 
for  the  illiterate,  and  often  ordered  them  out  of  the 
office.  He  obliged  every  clerk,  on  pain  of  dismissal,  to 
write  all  the  advertisements  that  his  customers  desired. 
All  nationalities  and  all  religions  were  sure  of  a fair 
treatment.  Every  influential  organization.  Catholic  or 
Protestant,  benevolent  or  political,  had  a representa- 
tive on  the  Ledger.  Any  employee  on  the  paper,  who 
wished  to  join  any  society,  whether  Mason  or  Odd 
Fellow,  Protestant  or  Catholic,  was  not  only  allowed 
to  do  so,  but  the  fees  were  paid  by  the  proprietor  of 
the  Ledger,  and  the  men  were  allowed  to  go  as  high  as 
they  pleased. 

To  add  to  the  popularity  of  the  paper,  Mr.  Childs 
made  the  Ledger  establishment  a great  bureau  of  in- 


312 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


formation.  Strangers  in  Philadelphia  who  find  it  diffi- 
cult to  get  access  to  the  public  institutions,  are  always 
assisted  by  the  Ledger  peo^Dle,  and  tickets  to  all  prom- 
inent places  can  be  had  for  the  asking.  Mr.  Childs 
has  always  kept  the  confidence  and  sympathy  of  the 
citizens  of  Philadelphia.  To  meet  the  demands  of  the 
best  portion  of  the  population,  changes  have  been 
made  in  the  Ledger^  that,  in  the  estimation  of  good 
judges,  periled  its  prosperity.  In  every  case  the 
change  has  increased  the  success  of  the  paper.  The 
public  spirit  and  liberality  of  Mr.  Childs  are  household 
words  through  the  nation.  Having  earned  a princely 
fortune  by  his  enterprise,  integrity,  and  industry,  he 
distributes  it  in  donations  large  as  the  seas. 


CXIII. 

VICTORIA  A BUSINESS  WOMAN. 

HE  sovereign  lady  of  England  is  a woman  of 
very  marked  talent.  As  a ruler  she  is  as 
adroit  as  Elizabeth,  as  obstinate  as  George 
III.,  and  as  dearly  loved  as  the  Princess 
Charlotte.  Her  domestic  home  is  at  Windsor  Castle, 
where  she  exhibits  the  woman,  and  displays  her  ex- 
traordinary domestic  and  financial  ability.  Bucking- 
ham Palace  is  the  town  residence  of  the  crown.  St. 
James’  is  the  State  palace.  The  Queen  has  not  slept  a 
half-dozen  times  in  London,  since  the  death  of  Prince 
Albert,  and  since  the  Prince’s  death  the  Queen  has 
never  entered  Buckingham  Palace  through  the  royal 


VICTORIA  A BUSINESS  WOMAN. 


313 


gate.  The  Prince’s  horses  were  dying  for  want  of  ex- 
ercise, yet  no  one  was  allowed  to  mount  them.  The 
Queen  will  not  ride  in  the  state  coach,  nor  wear  the 
State  robes.  These  robes  are  tiung  over  a chair,  when 
the  Queen  opens  Parliament.  Her  majesty  pushes 
them  aside  before  she  sits  down.  She  is  often  seen  in 
the  streets  in  a plain  dress,  looking  like  a well-to-do 
housekeeper.  She  rides  about  London  in  a plain  car- 
riage, which  stops  oftener  at  a hospital  than  at  a fash- 
ionable residence. 

In  person  the  Queen  is  short  and  stout,  with  a 
decided  German  look.  Her  face  is  not  pleasant  to  look 
at.  She  has  an  imperious  walk,  steps  quick,  and 
strikes  heavily  on  her  heel,  appears  very  haughty,  and 
receives  cheers  and  salutations  with  marked  indiffer- 
ence. In  her  gayest  hours,  she  was  never  much  on 
dress.  In  the  center  of  elegantly-arrayed  women  she 
looked  ill  at  ease,  and  as  if  her  robes  were  made  for 
another.  Her  light  hair  she  wears  in  a loose  negligent 
manner ; her  round,  full  and  very  red  face  would  appear 
dogged  and  sullen  if  not  relieved  by  her  clear  sharp 
eyes. 

In  domestic  life  the  Queen  is  quiet,  considerate  and 
amiable.  She  detests  style  and  publicity.  She  drives 
her  own  pony  team  in  her  grounds  rather  than  be 
gazed  at  by  the  populace.  In  the  Highlands  she  drives 
from  cot  to  cot,  leaving  medicines,  food  and  appropri- 
ate gifts  for  the  sick  and  suffering.  To  her  ladies-in- 
waiting, most  of  whom  have  families,  she  is  very  gen- 
erous. She  does  not  oblige  them  to  keep  coaches  of 
ceremony,  nor  attend  at  the  x>al^ce.  She  notities 
them  in  advance  when  they  are  wanted,  and  conveys 
them  to  the  royal  presence  in  her  own  coach  with  ser- 
vants in  livery.  She  performs  exactly  and  faithfully 
all  state  duties,  but  does  nothing  more.  As  a sover- 
eign she  is  very  exacting,  and  allows  no  infringement 


314 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


on  lier  prerogative.  She  is  painfully  prompt,  and  re- 
quires promptness  in  all  who  serve  her.  Her  coach- 
man must  be  at  the  door  at  a given  hour.  The  roads 
must  be  clear  for  the  royal  cortege  when  she  rides. 
At  her  drawing-room  she  steps  from  a closet  to  the 
throne  on  the  minute.  When  the  hour  closes  she 
steps  down  and  disappears,  though  a line  of  carriages 
is  waiting  from  the  Palace  gates  to  the  Horseguards. 

The  Queen  is  one  of  the  best  business  women  in 
Great  Britain.  She  is  very  rich,  and  knows  how  to 
take  care  of  her  property.  Besides  her  salary  of  a 
thousand  dollars  a day,  she  has  a regal  income  to  over- 
see. She  is  a hard  worker,  and  her  domestic  life  might 
safely  be  copied  by  the  grand  ladies  of  the  land.  Her 
style  of  living  is  scarcely  above  that  of  any  wealthy, 
high-born  woman.  She  has  tons  of  gold  plate  in  the 
castle — enough,  it  is  said,  to  spread  a table  with  all  the 
courses  for  a hundred  kings.  Her  own  table  is  spread 
with  silverv/are  bearing  the  royal  monogram.  Her 
breakfast  is  eminently  social,  all  her  guests  read  their 
letters  and  papers  placed  by  their  plate.  She  attends 
personally  to  her  household,  employs  and  discharges 
her  own  servants,  keeps  an  exact  account  of  the  funds 
distributed. 

She  manages  her  state  affairs  as  she  manages  her 
household.  She  knows  everything  that  pertains  to 
her  as  a ruler.  Beginning  at  seven  o’clock  she  devotes 
one  hour  before  breakfast  to  state  matters.  Messen- 
gers with  ‘‘baskets”  leave  Downing  street  dail}^  and 
find  the  Queen  at  Windsor,  Osborne  or  Balmoral. 
These  “baskets”  are  boxes  a foot  long  covered  with 
maroon  leather.  They  are  filled  with  dispatches  from 
the  premier,  the  admiralty,  the  home  office  and  the 
Horseguards.  The  Queen  holds  one  key,  the  minister 
who  sends  the  dispatch  the  other.  The  messenger 
rides  in  a first-class  car  attended  by  an  officer  of  the 


VICTORIA  A BCSIiIESS  WOMxiK 


315 


guards.  The  Queen  reads  every  paper  sent  for  her  sig- 
nature before  she  attaches  her  name.  Every  day’s 
business  is  despatched  and  nothing  allowed  to  accumu- 
late. The  Queen  holds  a ready  pen,  has  a very  large 
personal  correspondence,  and  pays  her  own  postage 
like  an  honest  woman. 

Princely  as  the  royal  revenues  are,  economy  is  ab- 
solutely necessary  at  AVindsor.  The  expenses  of  state 
are  enormous.  She  has  four  palaces  to  maintain,  with 
an  army  of  retainers  that  cannot  be  dismissed.  There 
are  numerous  and  heavy  iiensions  to  be  paid  out  of  the 
privy  purse.  The  Queen  is  surrounded  by  an  army  of 
ladies  in  waiting,  mistresses  of  the  bedchamber,  and 
ladies  of  honor,  that  have  to  be  well  paid.  It  costs  the 
Queen  five  hundred  dollars  whenever  state  biisiness  calls 
her  to  London.  One  hundred  railroad  coaches,  vans  and 
carriages  are  required  to  convey  the  household  from 
London  to  Balmoral,  or  from  Balmoral  to  Osborne. 
The  Queen’s  personal  attendants  are  numerous  enough 
to  people  a good-sized  town.  The  household  is  made 
up  of  the  lord  high  steward,  under  steward,  treasurer, 
comptroller,  master  of  the  horse,  secretary  of  the  board, 
paymaster  of  horse,  lord  high  almoner,  sub-almoner, 
sub-dean  and  household  servants,  lord  chamberlain, 
vice- chamberlain,  inspector  of  accounts,  clerks,  and 
keeper  of  the  privy  purse,  master  of  ceremony,  assist- 
ant master  and  groom  of  the  robes,  eight  lords  in 
waiting,  ten  grooms  in  waiting,  six  gentlemen  ushers, 
usher  of  the  black  rod,  deputy  chamberlain,  nine  gen- 
tlemen ushers,  eleven  officers  of  the  body-guard,  mas- 
ter of  the  buckhounds.  The  royal  stables  are  manned 
by  master  of  the  horse,  clerk,  crown  equerry,  superin- 
tendent of  stables,  equerry  in  ordinary,  honorary 
equerry  and  pages  of  honor.  Besides  this,  the  heavy 
expenses  of  four  royal  chapels  are  paid  by  the  Qaeen. 


316 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Jokin’  Browk,  the  confidential  servant  of  the  Queen, 
is  one  of  the  best-known  and  the  best-hated  man  in 
England.  When  Prince  Albert  bought  the  estate  at 
Balmoral,  John  Brown’s  father  was  a day-laborer,  and 
J ohn  was  employed  in  gardening.  The  Prince  took  a 
fancy  to  the  boy  and  put  him  in  charge  of  the  ponies. 
He  attended  strictly  to  his  duties.  He  was  always  on 
hand  and  responded  when  called  for.  No  hours  were 
too  early  and  none  too  late.  He  shrank  from  no  servile 
work,  and  from  time  to  time  was  promoted.  He  be- 
came a body-servant  to  the  Prince.  He  carried  the 
shawls  and  umbrellas  and  made  himself  handy  at  picnics 
and  sails  ; blunt  and  coarse,  a man  of  few  words,  but 
deferential  and  obsequious,  the  Queen  seems  to  have 
paid  little  attention  to  him.  On  the  death  of  the 
Prince  Consort,  Brown  remained  in  the  gardens.  He 
was  sad  and  often  in  tears.  The  Queen  was  told  he 
loved  the  Prince  and  mourned  him.  Brown  watched 
his  opportunity  and  offered  services  that  the  Queen 
might  accept.  He  gathered  flowers  that  the  Prince 
loved  and  presented  fruits  from  the  Prince  Consort’s 
tree.  The  Queen  made  inquiry  about  him  ; was  told 
that  Brown  was  Prince  Albert’s  favorite  servant,  and 
that  he  had  not  smiled  since  Prince  Albert  was  borne 
to  his  burial. 

The  Queen  was  not  well  served.  The  routine  of 
royal  life  annoyed  her.  She  could  not  get  anything 
done,  and  a message  ran  through  a dozen  hands.  The 
army  of  servants  was  divided  into  three  classes,  each 
class  serving  a month.  The  routine  of  palace  life  had 
to  be  observed,  and  the  royal  menials  would  not  depart 
from  their  accustomed  duties.  A dozen  men  were 
needed  to  do  one  man’s  work.  The  servant  who 
opened  one  door  would  not  open  the  next.  He  that 
brought  up  the  pitcher  would  not  fill  the  glass.  The 
equerry  who  handled  the  horses  would  do  nothing  with 


IMPOSTURE  A TRADE. 


317 


tlie  carriages.  The  Queen,  exact,  prompt,  and  imperi- 
ous, chafed  under  a routine  that  made  the  simplest 
order  of  the  Queen  pass  through  a dozen  hands.  The 
portion  of  Windsor  Castle  occupied  by  the  Queen  is 
entirely  shut  olf  from  the  rest  of  the  building.  The 
Queen  is  as  solitary  as  if  she  were  a thousand  miles 
away  from  the  six  hundred  retainers  in  the  castle. 
Her  drives,  her  roadways,  and  her  railroad  station  are 
out  of  the  public  view.  The  Queen  refused  to  have 
her  servants  changed  monthly.  She  turned  away  from 
the  glitter  and  gold  lace  of  the  royal  servants,  to  the 
Highland  attire  of  John  Brown.  He  is  the  confidential 
body-servant  of  her  majesty.  He  does  not  wait  on  the 
Queen  indoors,  nor  w'ear  the  royal  livery  nor  the  dress 
deputed  to  the  Queen’s  servants.  He  dresses  as  a 
menial,  and  does  the  work  of  a menial.  He  works  in 
the  garden,  orders  the  carriages,  hands  the  Queen  in, 
holds  her  hand  while  she  mounts,  cleans  her  riding 
habit,  and  eats  with  the  servants.  All  this  is  very  dis- 
tasteful to  the  English  officials,  who  make  reprisals  by 
calling  the  Queen  Mrs.  Brown. 


CXIV. 

IMPOSTURE  A TRADE. 

ONDON  can  beat  the  world  in  imposture. 
Vagrancy  is  a science,  and  beggars  are  better 
off  than  British  workmen.  The  wretched, 
ragged,  shoeless  woman  who  begs  a penny, 
has  more  money  than  the  tidy  girl  that  sells  greens 


318 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


from  the  donkey-cart.  The  forlorn  mother  with  a dirty 
child  has  better  living  than  the  street-sweeper.  The 
girl  with  the  swollen  foot  can  walk  as  briskly  as  the 
tidy  woman  who  offers  you  a bunch  of  flowers  at 
Covent  Garden.  Begging  is  a trade  taught  to  children. 
They  learn  to  spit  blood,  have  convulsions,  fall  down 
before  an  omnibus,  or  fall  into  a pond.  Men  and 
women  learn  to  hang  themselves  and  take  up  a col- 
lection from  a sympathizing  crowd  who  see  them  cut 
down.  Others  tear  vegetables  with  their  teeth  as  if 
starving.  There  are  storehouses  where  impostors  hire 
clothes.  They  go  out  in  the  morning  to  beg  as  clergy- 
men, as  shipwrecked  officers,  decrepit  men,  blind  and 
cripple  ; some  of  these  vagrants  have  fine  apartments, 
and  at  the  close  of  the  day  dine  like  a lord,  dress  up, 
and  walk  through  Hyde  Park. 

Billy  Bowlegs  made  a handsome  fortune  by  begging. 
He  kept  a school  and  taught  the  art  of  vagrancy.  His 
pupils  were  blind,  dumb,  stumi)ed  around  on  wooden 
legs,  spit  blood,  counterfeited  various  diseases ; he 
taught  men  how  to  exhibit  their  tongue  cut  out  by 
pirates.  An  impostor  who  for  years  passed  as  an  idiot, 
was  arraigned  before  the  lord  mayor,  and  a thousand 
pounds  were  found  on  his  person. 

Locations  are  assigned  to  beggars  and  cannot  be  in- 
terfered with.  The  man  who  begs  on  the  end  of 
London  Bridge  has  a vested  right,  and  bequeaths  the 
location  to  his  children.  The  woman  who  sweeps  at  a 
particular  crossing  can  secure  the  arrest  of  any  other 
person  who  should  interfere  with  her  prerogative. 
Some  positions  require  a livery.  The  average  of  beg- 
ging is  put  at  a shilling  a day.  Many  well-dressed 
men  keep  an  institution  where  vagrants  congregate. 
The  house  furnishes  beggars  with  disguises,  routes, 
letters  of  introduction  to  eminent  people,  and  lists  of 
personages  on  whom  to  call.  For  years  one  woman 


MARSHALL  0.  ROBERTS. 


319 


has  swept  the  crossing  in  front  of  the  lord  mayor’s 
mansion.  She  is  at  her  post  in  all  weathers,  the 
sorriest-looking  female  in  all  the  metropolis.  Yet  she 
has  fine  apartments  in  Duck  Lane,  and  is  a notorious 
money-lender. 

The  same  trade  is  carried  on  in  all  the  American 
cities.  Organ-grinders  have  a home,  headquarters,  and 
a system  of  trade  ; children  are  let  out  by  the  day  and 
week,  and  little  girls  ply  a regular  trade  of  vagrancy. 
Scores  of  boys  earn  money  enough  to  pay  their  way 
into  cheap  theaters.  They  beg  their  bread,  and  sleep 
in  some  lodging-house  at  night.  These  children  want 
no  trade,  and  have  no  idea  of  a regular  calling  to  earn 
their  living.  They  will  not  attend  school,  and  choose 
to  be  reckoned  among  the  New  York  Arabs. 


CXY. 

MARSHALL  O.  ROBERTS. 

ARSHALL  0.  ROBERTS  is  sixty-five  years 
of  age,  and  of  fine  personal  presence.  He 
began  his  business  career  in  New  York,  in 
1833,  as  a ship-chandler.  He  exhibited  at 
an  early  day  a taste  for  the  beautiful.  His  first  sav- 
ings he  invested  in  a fifty-dollar  picture  he  saw  in  the 
window  of  Colman’s  show-room.  He  was  very  for- 
tunate in  his  early  business  acquaintance.  Some  of 
these  were  eminently  serviceable  to  Mr.  Roberts  in  his 
strides  to  fortune.  Prosper  M.  and  Robert  C.  Wet- 
more  were  of  this  class.  Prosper  was  a Democrat,  and 


320 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Kobert  a Whig.  By  a sort  of  Yicarism  of  Bray  the 
twain  kept  in  office.  When  the  Democrats  ruled, 
Prosper  was  a naval  officer.  When  the  Whigs  came 
into  power,  Robert  took  his  brother’s  chair.  Under 
Tyler,  the  Wetmores  gave  Robert  a contract  for  naval 
supplies.  The  two  Wetmores  and  Roberts  shared  in 
each  others’  prosperity.  Another  valuable  business  ac- 
quaintance was  Sloo.  He  was  a noted  lobbyist,  and 
always  had  his  dish  upright  when  it  rained  good 
things.  On  the  opening  of  California,  Sloo  obtained  a 
valuable  contract  for  carrying  the  mails  between  New 
York  and  San  Francisco.  Sloo  was  too  poor  to  avail 
himself  of  his  great  prize.  He  had  to  call  in  the  aid 
of  capitalists.  A company  was  formed  to  run  a steam- 
ship line  to  the  isthmus  and  transport  the  mails.  The 
principal  actors  were  P.  M.  Wetmore,  George  Law, 
Edwin  Cross  well,  and  Sloo  and  Roberts.  Wetmore 
supplied  the  political  influence,  Roberts  the  dash.  Law 
the  money,  and  Sloo  was  dismissed  with  the  promise 
of  so  much  a head  on  each  passenger.  Wetmore  went 
to  the  wall  and  became  bankrupt.  Poor  Sloo  fared 
worse.  He  not  only  became  bankrupt,  but  died  in  the 
poor-house.  The  steamship  enterprise  was  joined  to 
the  Panama  railroad  with  the  addition  of  Aspinwall. 
All  sorts  of  schemes  were  joined  with  this  enterprise 
on  the  isthmus. 

Oliver  Charlick  became  agent  of  the  com.pany  at 
San  Francisco.  Like  most  stock- jobbing  schemes,  the 
company  came  to  a bad  end.  Roberts’  luck  saved  him, 
and  he  took  an  assignment  of  the  postal  contract.  This 
contract  plunged  Roberts  into  a lawsuit  with  the 
government,  which  lasted  fifteen  years.  Everybody 
knew  the  contest  was  a hopeless  one  ; everybody  said 
Roberts  would  be  ruined.  He  stuck  to  his  rights,  and 
kept  his  grip  on  his  assignment,  and,  while  I am  writ- 
ing, a judgment  has  been  rendered  on  that  contract  in 


MARSHALL  0.  ROBERTS. 


321 


his  favor  against  the  government  for  one  million  of 
dollars.  Wetmore  died  poor.  We  have  seen  what  was 
the  end  of  Sloo.  Law  drifted  into  city  railroads,  and 
became  a millionaire.  Charlick  bought  the  Long  Island 
railroad,  and  was  the  terror  of  the  country  people, 
whom  he  ruled  with  a rod  of  iron.  Roberts  stuck  to 
his  steamships.  His  little  office,  at  the  foot  of  Warren 
street,  was  as  well  known  as  the  den  of  the  Astors  on 
Prince  street.  Wickham,  mayor  of  Hew  York,  was 
Roberts’  steamboat  clerk.  The  chief  run  from  there 
in  1865,  and  was  defeated  by  the  defection  of  Grreeley. 
Wickham,  his  old  clerk,  ran  for  the  same  office  in 
1873  and  was  elected. 

During  the  war  Marshall  O.  Roberts  was  a stanch 
Union  man.  To  sustain  the  credit  of  the  government 
he  put  all  his  available  money  in  government  bonds  at 
90  per  cent.  Of  course  he  made  money,  but  nobody 
knew  at  the  time  whether  he  would  make  or  lose.  He 
did  not  serve  the  government  for  naught.  He  had  the 
pick  of  the  valuable  business  afloat.  He  chartered 
steamers  for  the  government  and  bought  supplies.  He 
was  a personal  friend  of  Lincoln,  and  had  facilities  for 
making  money  that  he  never  neglected. 

His  Hew  York  home  is  in  a commanding  and  aristo- 
cratic locality  on  Fifth  avenue,  a frontage  of  eighty-five 
feet  by  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet.  Opposite  is  Belm.ont’ s 
lordly  mansion,  near  this  is  the  elegant  house  of  Moses 
Taylor;  Burnham’s  abode,  the  donor  of  Webster’s 
statue,  is  hard  by,  a nd  near  that  of  Mason — to  whom  the 
Sixth  avenue  road  owes  so  much.  Belmont  is  worth 
fifteen  ipillions,  Taylor  forty  millions,  Roberts  ten  mil- 
lions, Burnham  and  Mason  three  millions  each.  Mr. 
Roberts  has  remarkable  aesthetic  taste  ; his  picture-gal- 
lery is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  city.  From  an  American 
standpoint,  the  collection  is  unequalled  anywhere.  Mr. 
Roberts  has  always  been  a great  friend  to  American  art- 


323 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


ists.  The  noted  painting  of  Washington  graces  this  gal- 
lery and  keeping  it  company  are  the  noted  works  of  East- 
man Johnson,  Elliot,  Shattuck.  The  gallery  cost  over 
six  hundred  thousand  dollars,  and  no  one  sets  its  value 
at  less  than  seven  hundred  and  fifty  thousand.  To  his 
own  industry  and  study  Mr.  Eoberts  owes  this  culture 
in  the  fine  arts.  He  started  with  that  boon  of  the 
lowly — a good  common  school  education.  He  had 
strong  common  sense,  a natural  keenness,  and  an  ad- 
herence to  the  right  that  never  shrank.  He  possessed 
pluck  and  boldness ; was  prompt  and  decided  in  his 
convictions  ; courteous  in  manner,  and  a patient  listener 
to  argument.  When  his  mind  was  made  uj^,  no  one 
could  divert  him  from  attaining  his  end.  He  knows 
how  to  gain  and  how  to  distribute  ; a cheerful  and  gen- 
erous giver  to  humane  and  religious  objects.  He  is  a 
prominent  member  of  the  Congregational  church  in 
New  York.  He  is  a devout  millionaire  ; averse  to 
X3omp  and  show ; with  no  cards,  no  balls,  no  theatres. 

The  domestic  life  of  Mr.  Eoberts  has  been  a singu- 
larly happy  one.  He  is  now  living  with  his  third  wife. 

The  second  Mrs.  Eoberts  was  a very  refined  and  dis- 
tinguished lady  from  the  city  of  Hartford.  She  was  an 
ardent  worker  in  the  fields  of  Christian  labor.  She 
organized  the  Woman’s  Christian  Association,  and  the 
Home  for  Girls.  To  the  latter  institution  her  husband 
donated  the  sum  of  forty  thousand  dollars  to  help  the 
cause  along.  The  present  Mrs.  Eoberts,  a Miss  Endi- 
cott,  is  a lenial  descendant  from  the  ‘‘Mayflower” 
Endicott.  She  is  a lady  of  youth  and  splendor,  well 
qualified  to  adorn  the  elegant  home  over  which  she 
presides.  Pluck,  plod,  and  probity  have  made 
Marshall  O.  Eoberts  what  he  is. 


BUSm£ISS  TRAITS  OF  NAPOLEON  III. 


323 


CXVL 

BUSINESS  TRAITS  OF  NAPOLEON  III. 

NE  of  the  finest  villas  in  Paris  stands  at  the 
entrance  Tlmperatice  avenue.  It  is  owned 
by  Dr.  Evans,  the  American  dentist.  He 
became  the  personal  and  confidential  friend 
of  Napoleon,  and  possessed  more  of  his  secrets  than 
any  living  man.  Dr.  Evans  was  shrewd,  practical, 
modest,  talented,  and  his  practice  yielded  him  two 
hundred  thousand  dollars  a year.  Nearly  every 
crowned  head  in  Europe  sent  him  a medal  of  honor. 
Above  all  these  jeweled  gifts  was  a pewter  medal,  a 
present  from  the  University  of  Philadelphia,  donated 
when  he  was  struggling  for  fame  and  fortune.  One  day 
Dr.  Evans  visited  the  Imperial  office,  holding  in  his  hand 
a roll.  The  Emperor,  always  curious  in  architectural 
matters,  asked  the  doctor  what  he  had.  He  exhibited 
the  plan  for  a villa.  ‘‘  That  won’t  do,”  said  the  Em- 
peror, and  taking  up  an  envelope  he  sketched  his  idea 
of  a gentleman’s  cottage  with  a pencil.  ‘‘The  drawing- 
room must  be  ,here.  There  is  your  library, — your 
saloons  must  run  in  this  direction  ; j^our  conservatory 
must  open  out  of  your  dining-room.  Your  oriel  win- 
dow must  be  at  this  point  ; your  stairs  must  be  out  of 
the  way  of  the  grand  entrance,  and  your  doors  ar- 
ranged so  your  rooms  can  be  thrown  together,  making 
one  grand  saloon.”  This  hastily-sketched  plan  hangs 
in  a gorgeous  frame  in  the  library  of  the  American 
dentist. 

During  the  reign  of  Louis  Philippe,  Napoleon  was  a 
soldier  of  fortune  in  London.  He  was  shabbily-dressed, 
and  often  hungry  ; he  loafed  at  the  clubs,  and  slept  in  a 
little  den  in  King  street.  A nobleman  asked  him  to 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


324^ 

pass  a month  at  his  country  seat.  Rambling  over  the 
grounds  one  day,  the  nobleman  pointed  to  a high  rock, 
and  said  : ‘ ‘ I have  offered  five  hundred  pounds  to  any 
architect  who  will  draw  me  a plan  of  a summer-house 
that  will  fit  that  spot.”  Napoleon  sat  down  on  the 
grass,  took  a ragged  piece  of  paper  out  of  his  pocket, 
used  his  hat  for  a table,  sketched  a plan  which  he  pre- 
sented to  the  astonished  and  delighted  lord.  The 
building  was  put  up  under  the  supervision  of  the 
needy  architect,  and  has  been  the  delight  of  thousands. 
The  nobleman  said:  ‘‘Napoleon,  when  my  head  gar- 
dener dies,  I will  give  you  his  position.”  Before  the 
promise  could  be  made  good,  the  needy  adventurer 
controlled  the  Imperial  revenues  of  France. 

As  a civil  ruler  Napoleon  had  no  equal  in  Europe. 
He  understood  the  temper  of  the  French  people,  and 
was  every  inch  a monarch.  If  he  had  left  foreign  wars 
alone  he  could  have  sat  on  his  throne  to  the  day  of 
his  death.  He  was  bold,  defiant,  resolute,  and  his 
reign  of  seventeen  years  produced  monuments  as  im- 
perishable as  the  Code  of  Napoleon.  He  modernized 
Paris,  bought  real  estate  by  the  mile,  broke  up  the 
nesting  places  of  disease  and  revolt.  He  pulled  down 
the  rookeries,  and  drove  vagrants  from  the  center  of 
the  city  to  the  suburbs.  He  kept  the  soldiers  busy, 
made  Paris  the  hot-bed  of  pleasure,  furnished  work  for 
the  masses,  and  made  royal  roads  from  the  capital  to 
every  part  of  the  Empire. 

He  was  a man  of  indomitable  courage.  He  furnished 
a royal  guard  for  the  Chapel  Expiatory,  where  prayers 
were  daily  offered  for  his  dethronement,  fie  allowed 
the  masses  to  look  upon  the  bloody  earth  that  sur- 
rounded the  coffin  of  Marie  Antoinette.  The  sanguin- 
ary and  bloody  deeds  of  the  Revolution,  which  most 
rulers  wished  to  hide,  he  kept  on  show.  The  divorce 
of  his  grandmother,  the  retreat  from  Russia,  and  Robes- 


BUSINESS  TRAITS  OF  NAPOLEON  III. 


325 


pierre’ s bloody  work  were  kept  on  view  in  the  great  gal- 
leries of  the  nation. 

His  personal  habits  were  very  simple.  He  was  an 
early  riser  and  a great  worker.  His  cabinet  was  dingy, 
full  of  old  furniture,  and  resembled  an  English  law 
office.  He  worked  with  his  ministers  till  twelve  o’clock, 
when  he  took  breakfast.  After  breakfast  ambassadors, 
officers  and  distinguished  visitors  were  received.  N’o 
business  of  the  Empire  was  transacted  without  his  per- 
mission. He  read  all  dispatches,  dictated  all  orders, 
answered  all  letters,  and  directed  the  government.  He 
daily  gave  orders  for  the  pulling  down  houses,  widen- 
ing streets,  opening  boulevards,  directing  palaces, 
throwing  bridges  over  the  Seine,  and  raising  funds  to 
carry  on  his  gigantic  work.  He  touched  everything, 
from  the  moving  of  armies  to  the  regulation  of  omnibus 
fares. 

He  made  himself  felt  in  all  parts  of  Europe.  Home 
was  a French  colony,  and  the  Pope  was  borne  to  his 
prayers  between  French  bayonets.  He  made  his 
cousin  a cardinal,  and  had  the  Empire  remained,  he 
would  have  made  him  successor  to  Pius  IX.  Under 
Xapoleon  there  was  no  state  religion.  All  religions 
were  suxjported  out  of  the  public  treasury  according  to 
their  size.  He  allowed  the  Bible  to  be  sold  in  Paris, 
and  tracts  distributed,  against  the  earnest  protests  of 
the  Catholic  clergy.  The  Emperor  never  allowed  a re- 
ligious procession  in  the  streets  of  Paris.  He  arrested  a 
whole  crowd  of  Baptists  who  were  prepared  to  immerse 
in  the  Hiver  Seine. 

Napoleon  was  one  of  the  best  preserved  men  of  his 
age.  He  was  careful  and  temperate  in  his  habits  ; he 
was  secretive  and  very  keen  in  observation,  and  had  the 
faculty  of  drawing  others  out  while  he  said  nothing. 
He  was  very  subtle,  and  adapted  himself  to  the  tastes 
and  prejudices  of  other  people.  He  was  a theologian 


326  SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 

with  priests,  a diplomat  with  ambassadors,  and  liberal 
with  the  Church.  He  made  religion  subordinate  to  the 
state.  Every  church  had  a trustee  appointed  by  the 
Emperor,  and  he  could  close  any  sanctuary  he  pleased. 
A state  marriage  was  legal  without  a priest,  but  the 
Archbishop  could  not  make  a marriage  valid  without 
the  sanction  of  the  state.  When  Burlingame  was  in- 
troduced as  ambassador  from  China,  he  made  a French 
address.  Napoleon  replied  in  the  language  of  Amer- 
ica. In  the  height  of  his  power,  servants  annoyed  him. 
He  waited  on  himself  rather  than  ring  the  bell.  He 
bustled  about  the  office,  opened  and  closed  the  win- 
dows, put  wood  on  the  tire,  wmtched  the  thermometer, 
and  took  delight  in  doing  things.  The  Empress  was 
his  principal  adviser.  She  usually  spent  the  morning 
hour  in  the  Imperial  Cabinet.  Silent  at  her  small  work- 
table unless  addressed,  but  always  ready  for  a ride,  a 
w^alk,  or  a question  of  state.  She  was  the  Emperor’s 
good  genius,  and  seldom  erred  when  he  took  her  ad- 
vice. She  presided  over  the  Council  wuth  great  tact, 
and  allowed  no  discussions  that  would  be  distateful  to 
her  husband. 

Every  morning  a digest  of  the  affairs  of  the  Empire 
was  laid  on  his  table.  He  took  in  by  intuition  everj^- 
thing  at  a glance.  He  dictated  his  answer  briefly  and 
rapidly.  All  admitted  to  his  presence  recognized  his 
genius,  his  business  tact,  and  his  ability.  Cool,  self- 
possessed  and  penetrating,  the  ablest  and  oldest 
diplomats  felt  that  they  \vere  in  the  presence  of  a 
master.  He  vindicated  his  right  to  rule  not  only  by 
exacting  honor  from  sovereigns  in  his  realm,  but  an 
appeal  to  history.  To  an  English  nobleman  he  said ; 
“Who  are  the  ancestors  of  your  queen?  Were 
they  not  attainted  for  treason  ? Was  not  William  the 
Conqueror  a usurper  ? By  what  right  did  William  III. 
sit  on  the  throne  of  England  ? Who  were  the  ancestors 


PROMINENT  ENGLISHMEN 


327 


of  the  Barons  of  Runnymede,  who  gave  you  the  great 
charter  ? By  what  authority  do  the  Stuarts  claim  to 
reign  by  divine  right  ? If  your  kings  reign  by  revolu- 
tion, by  the  choice  of  the  people,  or  by  the  power  of 
the  sword,  by  this  triple  title  I hold  the  scepter  of 
France.” 

The  personal  bravery  of  Napoleon  has  never  been 
questioned.  He  anticipated  his  enemies  when  he  seized 
the  Empire.  If  he  had  not  made  himself  emperor,  he 
would  have  ceased  to  be  president.  The  night  of  the 
coujp-W  eiat^  conspirators  were  assembled  to  assassinate 
the  prince  president.  Napoleon  beat  them  at  their 
own  game. 


cxyii. 

PROMINENT  ENGLISHMEN. 

HERE  is  a dearth  of  able  men  in  England. 
There  are  few  men  of  talent  in  any  profes- 
sion or  calling.  Second  or  third-rate  men 
sit  in  Parliament.  The  English  judges  are 
honest  and  fair,  but  an  eminent  jurist  who  can  find  ? 
The  English  bar  astonishes  a stranger  by  its  slovenly 
dress  and  small  ability.  Tories  confess  with  bitterness 
that  there  is  not  a born  nobleman  able  to  lead  the  Com- 
mons. Small  men  bear  noble  names,  wear  lofty  titles, 
and  occux)y  positions  filled  by  the  giants  of  other  days.. 
The  crowd  that  sweep  through  Westminister  Hall  from 
Parliament  chambers  embrace  very  few  who  have  made 
themselves  eminent.  The  Duke  of  Wellington,,  a de- 


328 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


crepit  old  man  worn  out  by  dissipation,  without  force 
or  talent,  represents  the  Iron  Duke. 

Glajdstoin'e  attracts  attention.  He  is  a tall,  slim, 
bony  man,  prematurely  gray.  He  came  into  notice 
under  the  Peel  Reform  Parliament,  and  took  the  man- 
tle of  that  nobleman  when  he  fell.  He  has  a tart  tem- 
per, which  fires  up  quickly,  and  has  so  schooled  him- 
self as  to  be  seldom  thrown  off  his  guard.  He  comes 
to  the  House  quietly,  salutes  no  one,  slips  in  behind 
the  Speaker’ s chair,  curls  himself  up  on  his  seat,  and, 
with  hat  over  his  eyes,  seems  to  have  no  interest  of 
what  is  going  on.  His  voice  is  clear  and  ringing.  He 
seizes  the  table  with  both  hands,  and  rocks  himself  back 
from  toe  to  heel.  He  is  an  earnest,  effective  speaker, 
subtle  and  ingenious,  and  can  hold  the  House  for 
hours  when  he  will.  He  is  always  at  his  post  and  al- 
ways ready.  He  is  the  idol  of  the  Liberals,  has  never 
deceived  them,  never  deserted  them,  never  fiinched. 
He  is  a keen  debater,  as  quick  as  a flash,  and  can  un- 
horse his  opponent  at  any  time. 

Disraeli  is  a man  of  small  stature,  thin  face,  black 
curly  hair,  and  a look  decidedly  Jewish.  He  is 
a silent,  lonely  man,  walking  with  his  eyes  on  the 
ground,  and  wearing  a subdued  and  sad  look.  There 
is  little  about  him  to-day  to  justify  the  title  given  him 
in  the  Commons  of  ’37,  of  the  dandy  member.  He 
wears  a black  frock  coat,  gray  pants  and  vest,  and 
dresses  very  neatly.  He  watches  Gladstone  like  an 
Indian  scout.  He  comes  into  Parliament  with  a cat- 
like step,  as  if  he  expected  to  catch  somebody  at  some- 
thing. He  sits  unmoved  like  a bronze  statue  under 
the  fiercest  castigation,  and  the  vehement  debate.  He 
is  unrivaled  in  selfish  sarcasm,  and  his  speeches  are 
without  feeling,  sympathy  or  charity.  His  voice  is 


PROMINENT  ENGLISHMEN 


329 


clear,  but  cold,  and  without  heart.  He  talks  like  one 
who  hates  his  race,  or  who  has  been  wronged.  He  is 
always  in  good  condition,  and  speaks  like  one  who 
knows  he  is  not  wanted.  The  world  recalls  his  taunt 
when  the  House  crushed  him  beneath  its  jeers  : “ Some 
day  I will  compel  you  to  hear  me  !”  and  marvel  at  the 
fulfillment  of  the  prediction. 

John  Bright. — The  House  of  Commons  is  divided 
into  four  parts.  One  side  is  ministerial  and  is  occupied 
by  men  who  sustain  the  Premier  through  thick  and  thin. 
Opposite  sit  the  opposition,  who  follow  the  Liberal 
leader  wherever  he  goes.  Half  way  of  the  House  is  a 
gangway  or  small  aisle.  On  the  ministerial  side  below, 
sit  the  Tories  who  support  the  Tory  government  when 
they  have  a mind.  Opposite,  below  the  gangway,  sit 
the  Liberal  members  who  don’ t respond  to  the  party 
whip.  John  Bright  always  sits  below  the  gangway,  on 
the  Liberal  side.  Before  he  took  office  he  was  a popu- 
lar leader  and  held  an  informal  levee  every  day  in 
Westminster  Hall.  Then  he  was  an  audacious  speaker, 
saying  what  few  men  were  willing  to  think.  As  mem- 
ber of  the  Cabinet  he  became  austere  and  impatient 
when  arrested  on  his  way  to  the  House.  He  was 
always  an  effective  orator  with  the  masses.  His  voice 
clear,  manner  vehement,  gesture  violent,  and  language 
nervous.  In  speech  his  face  flushes,  his  eye  kindles, 
and  he  puts  himself  completely  in  sympathy  with  the 
hearers.  He  has  a reputation  of  being  a hard  master, 
exacting  and  unsympathetic  among  his  workmen  at 
Bochdale. 

Bean  Stanley  is  the  leader  of  the  Badical  party 
in  the  Establishment.  He  owes  his  position  to  the 
Crown.  He  is  entirely  independent  of  the  Establish- 
ment, cannot  be  touched  by  the  archbishop,  and  could 


330 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


if  be  would  sit  in  the  House  of  Lords.  Through  his 
wife’ s influence,  Lady  Augusta — the  confidential  friend 
of  the  Queen — Stanley  was  elevated  from  the  position 
of  a schoolmaster  to  be  Dean  of  the  Abbey.  His  next 
remove  will  be  to  the  see  of  London,  the  most  valuable 
gift  in  the  Crown.  He  is  a small,  dean,  wiry,  nervous 
man,  and  he  wears  his  gray  hair  cropped  close  to  his 
head.  He  is  very  unattractive  as  a speaker  ; his  voice 
is  husky,  keeps  his  eye  on  a certain  angle  on  the  roof 
while  he  speaks,  jerks  his  sentences  out,  and  jumps 
up  and  down  while  his  hands  and  arms  are  still.  He 
contends  that  the  Establishment  is  large  enough  to 
accommodate  all  opinions.  Ritualists,  Evangelicals 
and  Rationalists  ought  to  stand  on  the  same  platform. 
Colenso  is  as  sound  as  Tait ; Bunyan  and  Wesley 
should  not  have  gone  out ; Whitfield  and  Milton  were 
servants  of  the  Lord.  Stanley  refused  to  allow  the 
Pananglican  Council  to  meet  in  the  Abbey,  because 
Colenso  was  not  invited.  It  costs  something  to  be 
buried  in  the  Abbey.  Every  tablet  has  to  be  paid  for. 
The  Dean  decides  who  shall  have  the  honor,  what  shall 
be  paid,  and  the  revenues  are  his  own.  The  ordinary 
services  of  the  Abbey  are  very  thinly  attended.  On 
state  occasions  no  man  in  London  can  draw  out  so 
many  coronetted  carriages  as  Dean  Stanley. 

Lord  Shaftesbury. — This  gentleman  is  the  leading 
Evangelical  peer  of  England.  He  is  a tall,  large- sized, 
bony  man,  with  the  coarse  features  of  a backwoods- 
man. He  is  bluff  and  hearty  in  his  manner,  and  is  the 
Magnus  Apollo  of  Exeter  Hall,  tie  founded  the  Boot- 
black  Brigade  and  the  Ragged  Schools,  which  have 
worked  such  a change  in  the  life  of  the  London  poor. 
Twenty-five'  years  before  Peabody  made  his  great 
donation,  Shaftesbury^  carried  a law  through  Parlia- 
ment improving  the  homes  of  British  workmen,  and 


BAB0NE8S  COUTTS. 


331 


tlie  Peabody  houses  are  only  a co^^y  of  those  which 
originated  with  Shaftesbury.  He  originated  a society 
to  drive  bad  pictures  out  of  London,  and  secured  en- 
gravings for  the  lowly  at  a low  cost.  As  the  workmen 
would  not  enter  the  churches,  Lord  Shaftesbury  led  a 
movement  to  open  worship  in  theaters.  He  preaches 
every  Sunday  in  halls,  school-houses,  mission  stations, 
and  on  the  curb-stone.  He  drives  up  in  his  coronetted 
carriage  and  every  place  is  crowded  in  which  he  speaks. 
The  street-sweepers  salute  him  as  he  passes,  coster- 
mongers take  off  their  hats,  roughs  come  to  hear  him 
preach,  and  exclaim  : ‘‘  God  bless  your  lordship.” 


CXYIII. 

BARONESS  COUTTS. 


ISS  COUTTS  stands  in  the  fore-front  of 
shrewd,  energetic  bankers.  She  inherited 
her  fortune  and  her  business  from  her 
grandfather.  He  founded  his  London  house 
in  1768.  He  was  a sharp,  shrewd  man,  with  but  one 
purpose,  and  that  to  make  money.  He  was  tall,  pallid, 
sickly  in  look,  curly  hair  with  a Duke  of  Wellington 
nose.  At  sixty,  he  shambled  along  the  Strand,  wear- 
ing shabby  clothes  and  a brown  scratch,  as  intent  on 
gain  as  he  was  at  eighteen.  When  he  was  worth 
millions  he  looked  so  poor,  so  forlorn  and  destitute, 
that  a stranger  pressed  on  him  a shilling.  I am  not 
in  immediate  want,”  said  the  millionaire  as  he  shuffled 
on.  He  died  at  ninety-one,  leaving  an  immense  prop- 


332 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


erty  and  a lucrative  business  to  bis  grandchild.  Miss 
Coutts  assumed  the  business  of  the  house  in  1822.  She 
understood  her  business  perfectly,  and  displayed  a 
rare  business  ability.  In  person  she  is  tall,  thin,  erect 
and  energetic  ; her  features,  coarse  and  masculine,  are 
marred  with  erysipelas.  She  decides  all  questions  of 
loan  and  discount,  signs  checks,  orders  all  the  business, 
and  from  her  decision  there  is  no  appeal. 

The  baroness  is  one  of  the  most  benevolent  women 
of  the  age.  She  erected  the  elegant  church  of  St. 
Stephen,  in  a forlorn  neighborhood,  and  presented  it 
with  an  endowment  to  the  poor.  She  sent  a blank 
check  to  the  Bishop  of  London,  to  be  filled  by  him  for 
reformatory  work  among  the  poor.  The  Bishop  filled 
in  the  sum  of  £6,000.  Miss  Coutts  made  it  £10,000. 
Her  great  gift  was  Columbia  Market,  which  cost  a 
million.  In  the  most  degraded  and  dissolute  part  of 
London  she  purchased  a square.  The  region  was 
crowded  with  narrow  streets,  vile  alleys,  and  rookeries 
crowded  with  the  squalid  and  wretched  poor.  Palaces 
took  the  place  of  rookeries  ; filthy  lanes  became  well- 
paved  boulevards  ; the  nestling  jdaces  of  pestilence 
and  plague  were  thrown  open  to  sunlight.  Elegant 
buildings  filled  the  square  ; one  of  the  finest  markets 
in  London  was  run  up.  A hall  for  public  meetings,  a 
chapel  for  worship,  with  clock,  bell  and  organ,  hospi- 
tal for  the  sick  and  disabled,  substantial  tenements  for 
the  better  class  of  the  poor  were  embraced  in  the  gift. 

The  opening  of  the  market  was  attended  by  semi- 
royal honor.  The  royal  family  and  the  nobility  were 
present.  The  Lord  Mayor  of  London  and  the  corpora- 
tion came  in  state.  Boj^al  troops  filled  the  streets  and 
coronetted  carriages  were  as  thick  as  omnibusses  on  the 
Strand.  The  Queen’s  band  conducted  the  music.  The 
proud  Duchess  of  Cambridge,  who  stands  nearest  the 
throne,  graced  the  occasion  with  her  presence.  On  the 


DELMONIGO. 


333 

approach  of  the  baroness,  the  corps  of  trumpeters  gave 
the  flourish  as  if  a royal  personage  was  approaching. 
Royalty,  aristocracy,  and  the  commons  came  to  their 
feet.  The  sharp  order  of  the  commander  of  the  royal 
troops — ‘‘Attention!  Present  arms!”  rang  through 
the  hall.  The  crash  of  the  band  and  the  cheer  on 
cheer  rent  the  air.  The  Duchess  of  Cambridge  led 
Miss  Coutts  to  the  chair  of  state,  and  took  her  seat  be- 
side her — her  inferior  on  that  occasion.  The  baroness 
was  all  dignity  and  self-possession.  She  wore  a purple 
satin  suit,  hat  and  gloves  to  match — a black  velvet 
sacque,  heavily  embroidered,  and  a collar  of  w^hite 
ermine.  Such  regal  honors  were  never  before  conferred 
upon  subject. 


CXIX. 

DELMONIGO. 

ONICO  has  made  a famous  name  among 
! restaurant-keepers  of  New  York.  The 
n,  a nest  of  brothers,  have  made  a success 
their  business,  in  which  a great  majority 
of  caterers  fail.  They  keep  four  eating-houses,  each 
celebrated  in  its  way.  The  new^  and  elegant  establish- 
ment just  set  up  in  upper  New  York  is  the  rage  of 
the  city.  It  is  thronged  by  ]Tch  men  and  proud  dam- 
sels. The  price  is  in  advance  of  similar  restaurants. 
This  is  rather  a recommendation,  as  it  makes  the  thing 
select.  The  aristocracy  of  New  York  is  a money  aris- 
tocracy. To  be  any  thing  in  the  city,  a man  must  have 
money.  His  father  may  have  wheeled  in  coal,  ‘ his 


334 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


motlier  may  have  scrubbed  office  floors,  but  if  he  has  a 
good  number  of  gold-bearing  bonds,  he  can  knock  at 
the  door  of  the  upper-ten  certain  that  he  will  be  ad- 
mitted. 

When  laboring  New  York  is  asleep,  Delmonico  will 
be  crowded.  Late  at  night,  after  parties  have  broken 
up,  theaters  have  closed,  and  soirees  ended,  it  is 
quite  the  thing  to  take  a lady  friend  to  the  gorgeous 
rooms  of  Delmonico,  and  order  a costly  supper  late  at 
night.  Snobby  young  men  who  breakfast  at  noon  do 
so  at  Delmonico’ s.  Young  men  on  their  way  down 
town  to  what  they  call  business,  halt  and  ask  for 
coffee  with  brandy.  Ladies  take  their  nooning  here 
because  it  is  the  fashion,  and  whatever  is  fashionable 
is  a success.  The  whole  of  the  house,  huge  as  it  is,  is 
devoted  to  the  patrons  of  the  establishment.  Private 
dinners  are  common.  Clubs  meet  for  dinner  ; societies,  - 
charitable  and  political,  take  their  little  snacks  in  the 
cosy  rooms  that  abound.  Numerous  as  they  are,  it  is 
often  quite  impossible  to  find  a spare  table.  Bankers, 
brokers,  and  merchants  entertain  their  friends  in 
regal  style. 

The  elder  Delmonico  in  an  interview  thus  states  the 
system  on  which  the  business  of  the  house  is  conducted  : 
“We  attend  to  our  own  business  and  to  nothing  else. 
You  never  hear  of  us  on  the  road  nor  driving  four-in- 
hands.  We  do  not  go  to  the  theater,  but  wait  on  those 
who  do.  We  have  no  outside  business — no  ventures  or 
speculations  in  oil,  wild  lands,  patents,  or  stock.  What 
money  we  have  we  put  into  our  house.  We  take  care 
of  our  business,  and  our  business  takes  care  of  us. 
We  give  personal  attention  to  everything  which  is 
going  on.  We  buy  the  best  the  market  affords  of 
everything  we  use,  at  the  lowest  rates,  and  we  give  our 
patrons  the  benefit  of  our  purchases.  We  require 
civility  and  jprompt  attention  from  all  our  employees. 


DELMOmCO. 


335 


We  keep  abreast  of  tlie  times.  Tliis  principle  drove  ns 
from  Chambers  street  to  Fourteenth  street,  and  from 
Fourteenth  street  to  our  present  location.  We  built 
from  necessity  and  not  from  pride.  Our  patrons  moved 
up  town,  we  had  to  follow.  We  could  find  no  rooms 
suited  to  our  trade,  so  we  built.” 

Delmonico  illustrates  the  value  of  a business  name. 
The  four  establishments  run  by  this  house  are  each  a 
success.  A dozen  houses  have  been  opened  in  a dozen 
years  on  the  Delmonico  style.  Many  of  these  were  in 
fashionable  localties,  with  rooms  and  garniture  of  the 
newest  patterns.  These  would  have  run  Delmonico 
under  had  he  not  been  equal  to  the  hour  and  kept  his 
establishment  up.  The  fame  of  the  house  is  known  in 
all  lands.  No  intelligent  foreigner  steps  on  our  shores 
to  whom  the  name  of  Delmonico  is  not  familiar.  The 
coffee  room — the  social  drinking  room  of  the  house — is 
a study.  Sitting  at  one  of  the  little  tables  in  the  great 
room,  can  be  seen  any  evening  the  prominent  business 
men  of  New  York.  Railroad  magnates  and  money 
kings  ; famous  bulls  and  bears,  and  heavy  operators  ; 
the  owners  of  fast  trotters,  and  betters  on  the  turf  ; 
gamblers  and  divines  ; soldiers  of  fortune  and  specula- 
tors ; star  actors  and  merchant  princes.  The  drinking 
is  often  heavy,  and  always  costly.  Imported  cigars  are 
smoked  and  foreign  liquors  flow  free  and  constant.  To 
a young  business  man  it  is  an  indication  of  fast  life  if 
he  patronizes  Delmonico’ s. 


336 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


cxx. 

PERILS  OF  AVARICE. 


00  much  grasping,  like  too  much  indolence,  is 
ruinous.  Many  are  not  content  with  a good 
thing  or  a fair  profit.  They  plunge  into  real 
estate,  mining,  oil,  and  stocks,  and  in  their 
attempt  to  grasp  all,  they  lose  all.  Men  load  them- 
selves down  with  real  estate,  and  try  to  buy  every- 
thing that  touches  their  property.  This  is  well  enough 
when  things  go  smoothly,  but  things  will  not  always 
move  smoothly.  Reverses  come  sooner  or  later,  and 
come  to  all.  Men  leave  no  margin  for  disaster.  Cur- 
rents that  were  to  bear  them  on  to  fortune  bear  them 
under.  They  are  like  the  man  on  the  ill-fated  steamer 
on  the  Pacific  coast.  The  vessel  was  doomed.  He 
loaded  himself  down  with  gold  he  had  been  toiling 
for  years  to  gain.  He  was  carried  under  the  seas  by 
its  weight. 


A well-known  banker  was  talented,  keen,  and  suc- 
cessful. He  made  money.  He  could  settle  a fortune 
on  his  wife,  on  each  of  his  children,  and  then  have 
money  enough  left  for  himself.  He  was  annoyed  that 
he  had  fifty  thousand  dollars  lying  idle.  He  found  a 
fine  opening.  He  put  in  fifty  thousand  dollars  into  a 
bankrupt  railroad.  He  added  twenty-five  thousand  to 
take  care  of  that.  He  added  twenty -five  thousand 
more  to  take  care  of  the  seventy-five  thousand.  Three 
times  he  could  have  got  out  of  his  embarrassments  if 
he  would  have  let  fifty  thousand  go.  He  could  not 
afford  that,  and  so  periled  his  whole  fortune.  Before 
he  got  through,  he  sank  one  million  and  a half.  He 
went  rashly  into  speculation,  and  lost — made  contracts 


HENRY  F.  DURANT. 


337 


— was  wild  as  a maniac.  His  five  years’  struggle  nearly 
cost  him  his  life.  He  came  out.  a bankrupt,  with  his 
honor  stained  and  his  fame  soiled.  He  fled  to  a dis- 
tant city  to  avoid  arrest  and  hide  his  disgrace. 


CXXI. 

HENRY  F.  DURANT. 

BOUT  twenty  years  ago  a young  lawyer, 
whose  name  was  Smith,  studied  in  the  office 
of  Ben  Butler  at  Lowell.  He  was  keen, 
smart,  and  full  of  strategy  and  resources. 
He  moved  to  Boston,  took  an  office  in  the  old  State 
House,  and  made  rapid  strides  in  a paying  practice. 
He  made  the  acquaintance  of  a builder,  who  was  also 
a gigantic  speculator.  This  man  had  more  lawsuits 
on  hand  than  any  man  in  the  State.  His  affairs  were 
always  complicated  and  in  a snarl,  and  he  wanted  a 
sharp  lawyer  to  help  him  through.  He  found  the  man 
he  wanted  in  young  Smith — a bold,  adroit  lawyer,  and 
a man  of  unlimited  expedients  and  resources.  Smith 
was  an  ordinary  speaker,  but  he  had  great  success  with 
a jury.  He  made  himself  famous  with  the  bar  by 
gaining  one  or  two  verdicts  in  desperate  trials.  He 
gained  one  of  the  heaviest  verdicts  against  a railroad 
company  ever  known  at  that  time.  He  soon  had  a 
regal  income  from  his  practice.  In  the  midst  of  his 
success  he  changed  his  name,  and  was  known  as  Henry 
F.  Durant. 

The  Rubber  suits  attracted  national  attention. 
Nearly  every  lawyer  of  note  was  retained  on  one  side 
23 


338 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


or  the  other.  Many  are  living  who  remember  when 
one  of  these  trials  was  called  how  a platoon  of  lawyers 
filed  in,  over  twenty  in  number,  and  took  their  seats. 
Durant  was  among  the  number.  His  peculiar  traits 
came  out  in  the  Rubber  suits,  and  he  led  in  a peculiar 
part  of  the  trial.  He  saw  what  many  others  did  not 
see — that  the  rubber  interest  was  to  be  the  great  inter- 
est of  the  country.  He  took  his  fees  in  stock.  He  was 
soon  able  to  set  up  an  establishment,  and  own  a sump- 
tuous home  in  Boston. 

The  death  of  his  son  produced  in  him  a marked 
change.  He  united  with  the  church,  and  entered  into 
a religious  life.  He  abandoned  the  law  and  became  an 
evangelist.  He  conducted  divine  service  and  preached 
in  pulpits  that  were  opened  to  him.  His  rubber  stock 
made  him  rich.  On  a farm  in  Wellesly,  a few  miles 
out  of  Boston,  he  has  erected  one  of  the  most  beautiful 
educational  institutes  in  the  commonwealth.  The  ex- 
penditure is  over  a million.  The  location  is  unsurpassed 
for  beauty  of  situation.  The  college  is  exclusively 
devoted  to  the  education  of  women.  All  the  teachers, 
professors  and  artists  are  ladies.  Mr.  Durant  devotes 
his  whole  time  and  energy  to  the  Wellesly  college. 


GXXII. 

DWIGHT  L.  MOODY. 

EW  men  in  the  United  States  have  done  so 
much  business  on  the  same  amount  of  capi- 
tal as  has  Mr.  Moody.  He  started  out  with- 
out education  or  learijing.  Even  now,  with 
all  his  practice,  he  cannot  read  the  Bible  correctly, 


DWIGHT  L.  MOODY. 


339 


and  would  be  disgraced  in  a primary  school.  He  is 
boorish  in  his  manners,  and  has  the  rudeness  of  a Tam- 
many Hall  politician.  Conceit  and  vanity  are  promi- 
nent traits  of  his  character.  Yet  he  is  the  teacher  of 
teachers.  He  draws  the  largest  audience  in  the  land. 
He  is  welcomed  to  the  homes  of  the  cultivated  and  re- 
fined. Men  ask  what  is  the  use  of  culture,  of  a college 
education,  or  any  education,  or  of  years  spent  in  learn- 
ing to  preach,  when  a man  who  cannot  talk  the  Eng- 
lish language  or  read  the  Word  of  God  correctly,  com- 
pels the  learned  and  cultivated  to  trample  each  other 
down  that  they  may  hear  him  preach,  while  scholars 
and  theologians  preach  to  empty  pews. 

Moody,  when  a boy,  would  not  study.  He  could 
have  had  the  advantages  of  a good  common  school  edu- 
cution  if  he  had  seen  fit  to  imiirove  them.  He  came  to 
Boston  when  a boy  to  earn  his  living,  and  went  into  a 
store.  He  was  brought  up  in  a Unitarian  parish,  but 
he  drifted  into  a Sunday-school  connected  with  Mr. 
Kirk’s  church.  He  was  as  unpromising  a specimen  of  a 
scholar  as  any  teacher  ever  tried  to  instruct.  He  was 
early  interested  in  the  subject  of  personal  religion,  and 
presented  himself  to  the  committee  of  the  church  for 
membership.  He  was  ignorant  of  everything  pertain- 
ing to  religion.  He  could  not  read,  knew  nothing  of 
the  Bible,  had  .not  the  slightest  idea  of  the  system  of 
doctrine  entertained  by  the  Church.  He  professed  to 
believe  in  Christ,  but  did  not  know  what  He  died  for, 
and  told  the  committee  he  was  very  certain  that  He 
had  done  nothing  for  him  that  he  knew  of.  Of  course 
so  unpromising  a subject  was  rejected.  The  committee 
have  been  soundly  rated  because  they  did  not  recom- 
mend Mr.  Moody  for  admission  to  the  church.  On  a 
subsequent  examination  he  was  admitted.  During  all 
his  connection  with  the  Mt.  Vernon  Church  he  was 


340 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


only  an  ordinary  member.  He  showed  only  common 
earnestness,  no  desire  to  toil  or  do  any  extra  work. 

He  went  West  and  early  exhibited  an  ambition  to 
lead.  He  could  bear  no  yoke,  and  no  church  work 
could  confine  him  ; he  set  up  a little  mission  station  in 
Chicago,  became  a lay  preacher,  and  became  cele- 
brated for  his  bluntness  and  eccentricities.  He  criti- 
cised the  church  work  of  the  city,  and  was  not  nice  in 
his  utterances.  He  announced  himself  through  the 
press  as  a preacher  and  the  reporters  occasionally  drew 
his  likeness.  One  of  the  Chicago  papers  draws  this 
picture  of  Mr.  Moody  while  conducting  Divine  wor- 
shij). 

‘Mn  the  evening  I heard  the  city  missionary,  Mr. 
Moody,  ‘preach’  in  Far  well  Hall.  He  wore  gray 
pants,  had  a swaggering  gait,  and  looked  very  much 
like  a green-grocery  pedler.  He  spoke  disparagingly 
of  ‘the  church.’  Thought  his  ‘jjreaching’  was  as 
good  as  that  of  an  ordained  minister ; and  boasted  that 
he  wore  neither  ‘gown’  nor  ‘white  cravat.’  Poor 
man  ! he  need  not  have  gone  to  all  the  trouble  he  did 
to  tell  us  that ; anybody  could  see  that — or  if  any  one 
was  blind,  he  could  clearly  tell  that  the  man  is  not 
living  who  could  so  murder  preaching,  and  at  the  same 
time  support  a ‘gown’  or  ‘white  cravat.’  Certainly 
these  two  ministerial  garments  would  be  out  of  place 
on  Mr.  Moody.  A white  cravat  would  kill  Mr.  Moody’s 
ministerial  peculiarity  in  two  weeks.” 

I was  in  London  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr. 
Moody  was  visiting  some  of  his  relatives  in  the  capital 
of  Great  Britain.  He  was  dogmatic,  fault-finding,  and 
uncomfortable.  Nothing  pleased  him ; he  took  no 
pains  to  hide  his  disgust,  but  grumbled  from  dawn  to 
dark.  In  the  matter  of  lay  preaching,  London  is  ten 
years  in  advance  of  New  York.  Outside  of  the  estab- 
lished church  all  are  laymen,  whether  in  orders  or  not. 


DWIGHT  L.  MOODY. 


341 


Rectors,  vicars,  deans  and  divines,  meet  on  a common 
platform  with  dissenting  Christians.  They  have  no 
quarrel  with  lay  preaching  outside  of  the  church.  I 
have  heard  Varley,  the  butcher,  Stott,  the  carpenter, 
and  Weaver,  the  coalheaver,  with  deans,  canons,  peers 
of  the  realm  and  noblemen.  One  day  at  Exeter  Hall 
the  prominent  speaker  was  a layman.  Moody  sat  at  my 
side.  When  the  speaker  sat  down.  Moody  turned  to 
me  and  said : “I  can  talk  as  well  as  that  man,  I can 
preach  better  than  he  does.  Do  not  you  think  so  ? 
When  I go  home  I mean  to  try ; you  see  if  I do  not.” 
His  subsequent  career  has  put  emphasis  on  this  crop- 
ping out  of  his  desire  to  preach. 

Good  men  are  not  agreed  as  to  the  good  of  the  mon- 
ster Moody  and  Sankey  meetings.  Eminent  pastors 
who  have  been  identified  with  it  admit  deep  disap- 
pointment at  the  results  on  their  own  churches.  As  a 
dissipation,  a wild  delirium,  a sort  of  ecstatic  excite- 
ment in  worship,  the  movement  was  a success,  but  on 
steady  church  work  and  church  life  the  movement  has 
been  demoralizing.  The  main  persons  influenced  were 
members  of  churches,  while  the  waste  jilaces  were  un- 
touched, and  the  lowly  and  abandoned  uninfluenced. 
The  church  now  demand  a delirium  of  service.  Trained 
singers  from  all  denominations,  a huge  chorus  and  the 
exhilaration  of  the  masses  no  doubt  bear  the  feelings 
along,  but  they  do  it  like  a fourth  of  July  parade.  In 
England  the  power  of  movement  was  mainly  due  to 
Mr.  Sankey,  and  to  a kindred  agency  the  future  success 
of  such  movements  will  be  due. 

In  London  the  ministry  of  laymen  was  a popular 
one.  It  was  led  by  the  Earl  of  Shaftesbury,  Lord 
Bury  and  Lord  Radstock.  The  working  people  were 
slipping  out  of  the  hands  of  the  church.  The  masses 
would  not  enter  chapels  built  in  their  neighborhood. 
Theaters  were  opened  on  Sunday  night,  but  when 


343 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


clergymen  preached  the  people  kept  away.  Laymen 
Avere  put  forward  and  met  the  case.  Crowds  filled 
hall  and  play-house,  when  earnest  workmen  talked. 
Under  this  influence  Weaver  and  Yarley  came  to  the 
front.  At  one  time  Spurgeon  had  six  hundred  work- 
ing people  in  the  field  as  preachers.  These  laborers 
went  out  two  and  two — one  to  preach,  and  one  to  sing. 
The  singing  was  not  American,  but  the  heavy  psal- 
mody a hundred  years  old.  Into  this  atmosphere 
Sankey  stood  up  to  sing.  He  put  his  organ  in  the 
right  place.  His  magnetic  voice,  racy,  music,  fiery 
Avords,  modesty,  took  the  peo]jle  by  surprise  and 
storm.  The  same  element  appeared  in  the  Hippo- 
drome seiwices.  A much  less  adroit  manager  than 
Moody  could  have  made  a success  of  his  surround- 
ings. The  conditions  on  Avhich  he  works  would 
make  an  ordinary  evangelist  a power.  He  is  an 
autocrat  in  the  services,  dictating  who  shall  speak 
and  who  shall  not  sit  on  the  platform.  The  entire 
church  of  the  place  has  to  come  into  the  arrangement. 
The  elite  of  the  religious  community  are  pledged  to 
the  work  with  time,  talents,  and  money.  No  meetings 
are  held  at  the  hour  of  Moody’s  service.  The  adver- 
tising is  enormous,  and  would  carry  any  business  in 
the  State.  The  best- trained  voices  for  miles  around 
unite  in  the  choir.  The  personal  and  official  influence 
of  the  leading  pastors  of  the  land  are  laid  at  the  feet 
of  the  evangelist.  The  good  done  by  such  monster 
meetings  must  be  evanescent.  No  meetings  conducted 
in  such  a style,  and  on  such  a scale,  would  be  tolerated 
or  desired.  No  church  would  allow  a pastor  to  preach  as 
Mr.  Moody  preaches,  or  read  the  Scriptures  as  he  reads 
them,  or  use  the  dogmatism  which  marks  his  style.  No 
man  could  get  a settlement  in  an  Evangelical  church  who 
should  avow  Mr.  Moody’s  well-known  theological  opin- 
ion or  adopt  such  tactics  as  mark  his  ministration.  He 


DWIGHT  L.  MOODY. 


343 


will  have  many  imitators  but  no  successors.  The  move- 
ment will  be  remembered  as  one  remembers  a mill  built 
on  a dam,  that  broke  away  from  the  main  stream  during 
a freshet.  The  work  ended  leaves  weak  churches  still 
weak,  x)rominent  men  still  unreached,  and  church  work 
in  a great  measure  demoralized. 

Mr.  Moody’s  income  is  undoubtedly  very  large. 
There  is  no  reason  why  it  should  not  be.  Those  who 
demand  his  services  ought  to  pay  for  them.  The  pre- 
tense that  he  gets  no  pay  for  his  work  is  a mere  pre- 
tense. He  has  no  salary  and  will  allow  no  collection 
to  be  taken  up ; but  private  donations  are  generous, 
and  are  seldom  refused.  Moody  cannot  feed  his  wife 
and  children  on  air,  nor  bring  up  his  household  on  the 
east  wind.  When  he  began  his  work  as  an  evangelist 
he  was  as  poor  as  a wharf  rat.  He  is  now  in  good  cir- 
cumstances, owns  a line  mansion,  well  furnished,  and 
has  as  good  an  income  as  any  preacher  in  the  land. 
From  a business  standpoint  evangelism  is  a success. 
No  business  is  better  run  or  is  more  remunerative.  He 
is  like  a large  number  of  evangelists,  who  have  not 
only  had  a competency,  but  have  become  forehanded. 
One  of  the  best-known  men  of  this  class  lives  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Boston.  Every  spring  he  returns  to 
his  home  from  his  winter’s  campaign,  and  adds  to  his 
real  estate,  having  built  quite  a little  village. 


344 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS, 


CXXIIL 

GEX.  BENJAMIN  F.  BUTLER. 

EN.  BUTLER  has  ardent  friends  and  intense 
foes.  He  is  the  best-known  and  least-nnder- 
stood  man  in  the  United  States.  His  name 
is  a*  terror  in  the  South,  and  he  is  more 
feared  in  the  House  of  Representatives  than  any  man 
North  of  Mason  and  Dixon’s  line.  Nobody  denies  him 
consummate  ability.  Pew  out  of  a charmed  circle  ac- 
credit him  with  integrity,  honesty  of  purpose  and  con- 
scientious actions.  The  popular  belief  is  that  he  is 
unscrupulous,  carrying  his  points  without  regard  to 
truth  or  honor.  His  friends  believe  him  to  be  honor- 
able, courageous,  trustworthy,  and  doing  what  he 
believes  to  be  right,  without  fear,  favor,  or  hope  of  re- 
ward. 

Gen.  Butler  never  acts  on  policy.  He  has  none  of 
the  adroit  weighing  of  consequences  which  statesmen 
call  diplomacy.  He  often  says  what  it  would  be  better 
for  him  not  to  say.  He  avows  what  it  would  be  better 
for  him  to  conceal.  He  has  no  opinions  that  he  fears 
to  express,  and  no  line  of  action  that  he  is  afraid  to 
defend.  If  there  is  an  unpopular  side,  he  takes  it.  If 
there  is  an  unpopular  opinion,  he  expresses  it.  He 
carries  his  opinions  on  his  sleeve  and  wears  his  views 
on  his  forehead  as  a frontlet.  His  very  intuition  harms 
him.  He  sees  at  a glance  what  other  men  learn  by 
patient  study  or  processes  of  reasoning.  When  he 
reaches  a conclusion,  he  states  it,  no  matter  how  un- 
popular it  may  be  at  the  present  moment,  nor  how 
much  in  advance  of  the  age.  He  takes  no  pains  to 
ed  ucate  men,  leading  them  along,  giving  them  a little 


OEN.  BENJAMIN  F.  BUTLER. 


345 


light  to-day  and  more  to-morrow.  But  he  stakes  out 
his  opinions  and  passes  on  leaving  men  to  come  on  at 
their  leisure.  He  makes  an  address  which  gives  great 
offense,  his  friends  say  : ‘‘Butler,  what  did  you  want  to 
say  that  for?”  “ It  is  true,  isn’t  it  ? ” If  he  was  a man 
of  policy  he  would  be  guarded  in  his  utterances. 

As  a lawyer,  Gen.  Butler  is  a great  success.  He  is 
a safe  counselor  in  desperate  cases.  He  is  not  a man 
of  forensic  eloquence.  His  style  of  speaking  is  bad, 
and  one  need  not  argue  whether  he  is  or  is  not  learned 
in  the  law.  He  wins  cases.  He  has  the  best  practice 
in  the  State  and  country,  and  his  fees  are  immense. 
Butler’s  success  as  a lawyer  turns  on  his  preparation. 
He  spares  no  pains,  and  makes  a dead  sure  thing  on 
his  evidence.  A man  from  New  Orleans  called  on 
Butler  and  asked  his  assistance  in  getting  into  Con- 
gress. He  represented  himself  as  a Union  man,  and 
said  that  he  had  suffered  from  his  sentiments  during 
the  war.  Butler  told  him  to  call  the  next  day,  when 
Butler  said  to  him  : “ You  are  an  enemy  of  my  coun- 
try, and  you  did  your  best  to  ruin  it.  You  were  a 
rebel  during  the  war,  and  ux)lield  the  Confederacy  with 
all  your  might.”  The  man  denied  the  charge.  Butler 
opened  a drawer,  and  drew  out  a copy  of  the  ordinance 
of  secession,  and  put  his  finger  on  the  man’s  name, 
appended  to  that  document. 

In  the  trial  of  the  United  States  against  William 
W.  Welles,  of  Boston,  Butler  was  retained  for  the  gov- 
ernment. That  the  house  prosecuted  had  defrauded 
the  revenue  nobody  doubted  ; the  difficulty  was  to 
prove  it.  At  one  time  the  case  looked  very  blue  for 
the  Treasury.  Butler  went  into  the  trial  with  his  ac- 
customed energy  and  audacity.  On  the  morning  of 
the  trial  he  said  to  one  of  the  employees  of  the  court : 
“You  watch  this  case.  When  that  little  name  is 
called,”  pointing  to  one  of  the  witnesses,  “the  defend- 


346 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


ants  will  compromise.”  The  calling  of  the  name  pro- 
duced a marked  sensation  in  the  court.  Sure  enough, 
an  adjournment  was  called  for,  a settlement  proposed, 
four  hundred  thousand  dollars  were  paid  to  the  gov- 
ernment, and  the  case  ended. 

Butler’s  memory  is  prodigious  and  never  fails  him. 
In  a trial  he  can  direct  his  junior  counsel  to  every  case 
that  bears  on  the  matter  in  hand,  wdth  the  decision,  the 
book,  and  page.  He  is  a great  worker,  stud^dng  at 
home  ; studying  late  ; is  very  regular  in  his  habits  ; a 
light  eater,  with  an  occasional  glass  of  wine.  He  has 
the  reputation  of  being  fair  as  an  advocate,  desirous  of 
winning,  and  resolved  to  win  ; yet  he  shows  his  hand 
and  resorts  to  no  tricks  to  deceive  the  opposing  coun- 
sel. He  seldom  badgers  a witness  ; but  if  a man  on  the 
stand  is  fast,  unwilling,  or  unscrupulous,  Butler  will 
catch  him  before  he  gets  through,  and  do  it  fairly.  In 
an  ordinary  trial  Butler  never  “ goes  ” for  a witness,  as 
the  phrase  is. 

As  a politician,  Butler  is  a failure.  He  is  an  am- 
bitious man,  but  refuses  all  the  arts  and  blandishments 
essential  to  winning.  His  friends  say  that  if  he  had 
more  policy  and  could  play  the  hypocrite  better,  he 
could  put  Massachusetts  in  his  trousers  pocket.  He 
has  always  been  the  friend  of  the  poor  man.  He  be- 
lieves that  capitalists  are  selfish,  grasping,  and  tyran- 
nical. He  has  never  disguised  his  sentiments  at  any 
time,  or  anywhere.  He  will  take  up  a poor  man’s 
case  where  there  will  not  be  a dollar  of  fees,  as  quick 
as  that  of  a capitalist  where  the  retainer  is  one  thou- 
sand dollars.  A poor  man’s  land  was  taken  by  a rail- 
road, and  the  compensation  was  not  a tithe  of  its  value. 
Butler  took  up  the  case  and  made  the  corporation  do 
what  was  right  towards  the  laboring  man.  He  is  a 
man  of  indomitable  courage.  His  Hew  Orleans  life 
clearly  shows  this.  One  day  he  walked  up  from  the 


GEN.  BENJAMIN  F.  BUTLER. 


347 


levee  through  lines  of  men,  every  one  of  whom  was  a 
desperado,  and  had  sworn  to  take  his  life. 

Butler  is  a man  without  malice.  He  is  easily 
cheated  and  imposed  upon  by  his  friends.  He  is  so 
real  and  sincere  himself  that  he  cannot  believe  that  men 
who  are  fair  to  his  face  are  maligners  behind  his  back. 
Men  will  pitch  into  him  and  then  fawn  before  him. 
They  will  take  his  money  and  eat  his  bread,  and  then 
betray  his  secrets  to  his  enemies.  In  a week  if  they 
come  into  his  presence  with  a long  face  and  express 
contrition  they  are  forgiven.  He  will  say,  Poor  fel- 
low, I don’t  think  he  meant  anything,  or  I can’t  be- 
lieve he  said  such  a thing.  I think  you  must  be  mis- 
taken.” He  has  the  faculty  of  attaching  his  friends  to 
him  by  hooks  of  steel.  They  will  disagree  with  him, 
disapprove  his  plans,  dislike  his  utterances,  get  mad 
with  him  for  want  of  diplomacy,  but  they  never  ques- 
tion his  honesty  or  integrity  of  purpose. 

Butler  will  take  up  anybody’s  fight  when  he  believes 
the  party  to  be  in  the  right.  But  he  will  take  up  a 
poor  man’s  fight  when  he  has  none  to  help  him, 
whether  he  is  right  or  wrong.  It  was  regarded  as  a 
very  unpopular  act  for  Butler  to  defend  Whitemore  in 
Congress.  His  reason  was  characteristic.  “He  is  a 
poor  devil  out  of  cash  and  out  of  friends,  with  no  one 
to  help  him,  and  I v/ant  him  to  have  a chance.”  He 
defended  Oakes  Ames  because  he  believed  in  him.  He 
believed  that  Ames’  motives  were  right,  and  that  he 
was  no  thief,  and  no  robber.  He  thought  he  had  a 
good  thing  and  went  in  to  win.  He  acted  like  a fool, 
but  he  was  no  thief. 

Butler  was  equally  conscientious  in  his  fight  with 
the  press.  As  a politician  it  was  a very  unwise  thing 
to  array  the  press  against  himself.  The  press  has  a 
thousand  chances  to  strike  back  while  the  arraigned 
its  making  a tardy  opposition.  For  all  this  Butler 


348 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


cares  nothing.  He  regards  the  press  as  nnscrupulous, 
writing  up  one  man,  and  down  another  from  mere 
caprice.  In  assailing  the  newspapers  Butler  proposes 
to  see  whether  a man  can  be  lied  down  by  the  papers. 
In  his  opposition  to  the  press,  he  regards  himself  as 
waging  a warfare  in  which  every  honest  man  has  an 
interest.  A man  of  policy  would  not  bring  the  press 
down  upon  him,  if  he  wanted  public  favor.  His  at- 
tacks upon  capitalists  have  brought  upon  him  what  is 
known  as  State  House  influence,  with  all  State  street  at 
their  back.  The  general  rather  enjoys  this  warfare 
with  such  antagonists  to  contend  with.  He  is  fond 
of  money,  knows  how  to  make  it,  and  does  not  care 
who  knows  that  his  services  cannot  be  obtained  for 
nothing. 

He  came  to  'New  York  during  the  draft  riots,  when 
the  government  was  in  feeble  hands.  His  measures  to 
sustain  the  national  authority  were  not  only  vigorous 
but  audacious.  He  seized  the  ferry-boats,  loaded  them 
with  cavalry,  with  light  horse  artillery,  and  kept  them 
in  the  stream  ready  for  instant  use  anywhere  at  any 
moment.  His  very  presence  carried  consternation  to 
rioters,  and  in  a week  New  York  was  as  safe  and  quiet 
as  Boston. 

Whatever  Butler  may  be  in  the  heat  of  a contested 
trial,  on  the  stump,  or  in  reply  to  a personal  or  political 
attack,  he  is  a gentleman  at  home,  and  a liberal  and 
genial  host.  He  is  delicate  and  considerate  to  ladies, 
and  is  distinguished  for  a politeness  almost  Frenchy. 
There  are  few  happier  homes,  and  his  family  are  de- 
voted to  him.  His  style  of  living  is  elegant.  His 
hospitality  is  unbounded,  and  he  knows  both  how  to 
earn  and  how  to  dispense. 


JAMES  R.  KENDRICK. 


349 


CXXIY. 

JAMES  R.  KENDRICK. 

R.  KENDRICK  is  superintendent  of  the  Fall 
River  railroad  line.  He  is  a small,  slim, 
frail-looking  man,  with  a presence  not  at  all 
imposing.  He  is  master  of  all  departments 
of  railroading.  He  was  trained  under  Gov.  Stearns, 
one  of  the  most  efficient  railroad  men  in  the  land.  The 
lad  worked  his  way  up  through  all  grades  on  tlie  rail- 
roads of  New  England.  Gov.  Stearns  was  called  to  the 
presidency  of  the  Old  Colony  road,  when  it  was  a 
small  affair,  and  not  over-prosperous.  There  was  a 
conflict  between  the  president  and  the  superintendent. 
The  officer  was  capable,  but  cranky.  The  president 
had  his  own  notions  about  what  a superintendent  ought 
to  be.  He  liked  Kendrick’s  methods,  and  told  him 
before  he  went  South,  that  he  would  have  a place  for 
him  on  his  own  road. 

Kendrick  preferred  a Northern  residence,  and 
started  for  the  North.  His  fame  preceded  him.  Five 
railroads  made  him  flattering  offers.  The  Eastern,  the 
Lowell,  and  the  Pittsburg  were  among  the  number. 
He  chose  to  connect  his  fortunes  to  his  old  friend  and 
instructor,  and  enter  at  once  on  that  career  which  has 
been  so  honorable.  Many  were  disappointed  with  the 
personal  appearance  of  the  superintendent.  Some 
wanted  a larger  man  ; others  thought  he  was  too  quiet ; 
others  thought  that  he  could  not  be  much  of  a super- 
intendent who  put  on  no  style,  wore  a slouched  hat, 
and  made  himself  busy  among  the  men.  In  a few 
months  all  opposition  gave  way  before  the  marked 
ability  of  the  new  executive. 

Mr.  Kendrick  is  distinguished  for  caution,  vigilance 


350 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


and  industry.  In  the  midst  of  the  wildest  excitement 
he  is  cool,  clear-headed  and  self-possessed.  He  does 
the  right  thing  at  the  right  time.  He  is  kind  and  con- 
siderate to  the  employees,  and  maintains  strict  dis- 
cipline without  tyranny.  With  tact  and  good  sense 
he  maintains  the  good  will  of  the  patrons  of  the  road. 
He  knows  when  to  yield  and  when  to  resist.  He 
discriminates  between  a clamor  and  a just  demand 
for  accommodation.  He  has  proved  himself  equal  to 
every  emergency.  He  is  a growing  man  and  bids  fair 
to  be  one  of  the  leading  railroad  men  of  the  nation. 


cxxy. 


BEECHER’S  ADVENT  INTO  BROOKLYN. 

LYMOUTH  CHURCH  was  founded  by 
advanced  Congregationalists.  Prominent 
among  the  number  were  David  Hale  and 
Henry  C.  Bowen.  The  Congregationalism 
of  New  York  and  Brooklyn  was  a modified  Presby- 
terianism. The  pastor  and  standing  committee  stood 
for  the  minister  and  elders  in  the  Presbyterian  Church 
that  ruled  everything.  The  Plymouth  brethren  pro- 
posed to  have  a church  in  which  the  laymen  should 
come  to  the  front.  The  preacher  was  to  be  simply  a 
la3mian  in  church  matters,  and  to-day  the  pastor  can- 
not preside  at  a church  business  meeting  unless  he 
is  formally  elected.  For  marn^  years  the  pastor  was 
not  allowed  to  conduct  the  Frida}^  night  meeting.  The 
church  has  never  belonged  to  anj^  organization,  though 


BEECHER'S  ADVENT  INTO  BROOKLYN 


351 


in  fellowship  with  other  churches,  and  it  is  absolutely 
as  independent  as  though  there  was  not  another  church 
in  the  world. 

A peculiar  minister  was  needed  for  so  peculiar  a 
church.  Henry  Ward  Beecher  was  settled  over  a 
small  Presbyterian  church  in  Indianapolis,  all  un- 
known to  fame.  A traveling  salesnian  called  the 
attention  of  Mr.  Bowen  to  the  rising  young  man  out 
West,  a son  of  Lyman  Beecher.  Howto  hear  him  was 
the  question.  The  church  did  not  wish  to  hear  him  as 
a candidate,  and  did  not  wish  to  call  him  till  they 
knew  something  of  his  metal.  Bowen  urged  the  Home 
Missionary  Society  to  invite  young  Beecher  to  come  on 
and  preach  the  annual  sermon.  The  society  did  not 
know  enough  of  Henry  Ward  to  invest  the  expenses 
of  his  visit.  Mr.  Bowen  offered  to  be  responsible  for 
the  cost,  and  paid  out  sixty  dollars  that  the  church  in 
this  roundabout  way  might  hear  Mr.  Beecher.  He 
came  on  and  spent  a Sunday  with  Plymouth  Church. 

The  society  worshiped  in  the  house  built  by  the 
Presbyterians  where  Hr.  Cox  ministered  for  so  long  a 
time.  The  location  was  considered  so  unfavorable  for 
church  service  that  the  house  was  abandoned,  and 
David  Hall,  Mr.  Bowen  and  others  bought  it.  Young 
Beecher  preached  to  a fair  congregation  in  the  morn- 
ing. In  the  evening  the  house  was  thronged  and  the 
outsiders  could  have  tilled  it  three  times  over.  On  the 
site  of  the  old  church,  abandoned  for  its  unsuitable- 
ness for  public  worship,  the  present  Plymouth  struc- 
ture Avas  built,  and  it  has  been  maintained  for  nearly 
thirty  years  the  largest  regular  congregation  in  the 
land. 

A call  was  made  out  to  Mr.  Beecher.  But  money 
matters  stood  in  the  way  of  its  acceptance.  Mr. 
Beecher  was  poor  and  in  debt.  His  letters  often  lay 
over  in  the  post-office  because  he  had  no  money  to  take 


352 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


them  out.  He  owed  a thousand  dollars  which  must 
be  paid  before  he  could  leave  the  West.  Mr.  Bowen 
came  to  the  young  man’s  relief.  • He  agreed  to  send 
out  to  Indianapolis  five  hundred  dollars  when  Mr. 
Beecher  accepted  the  call,  and  send  out  five  hundred 
additional  when  he  left  to  come  to  Brooklyn.  The 
drafts  for  the  money  advanced,  Mr.  Bowen  holds  to 
this  day. 

In  due  time  Henry  Ward  Beecher  arrived  in  Brook- 
lyn. He  was  a dilapidated  specimen  of  a preacher. 
His  hat  was  shockingly  bad,  his  coat  seedy,  and  his 
pants  darned,  his  boots  and  his  shirts  equally  out  of 
repair.  Mr.  Bowen  purchased  for  him  an  entire  outfit. 
Purchased'  the  cloth  and  had  a suit  of  clothes  made  up 
so  the  pastor  of  Plymouth  Church  could  be  presentable 
on  Sunday.  Mr.  Beecher’s  career  in  Brooklyn  the 
world  knows  by  heart. 


CXXVI. 

HUMOR  OF  SOBER  MEX. 


lUMOR  is  a business  power.  It  is  a lubricat- 
ing force.  It  acts  on  life  as  oil  acts  on  the 
joints  of  a locomotive.  It  adds  nothing  to  the 
natural  abilities  of  a man,  but  it  gives  ease 
and  xfiay  to  every  faculty.  Morose  men  are  not  good 
men.  Stern,  miserly,  bigoted,  misanthrophic  men,  are 
not  the  best  business  men.  The  ‘‘Fathers,”  as  they 
are  called,  were  humorous  men ; their  sermons  are  so 
broad  that  they  could  not  be  read  to-day  in  our  fastid- 


HUMOR  OF  SOBER  MEN. 


353 


ious  cliurches.  The  clergymen  who  have  outlived  their 
time  and  come  down  to  us,  were  men  of  humor.  South, 
Jeremy  Taylor,  Rowland  Hill,  Robert  Hall,  and  Sidney 
Smith,  are  specimens.  The  old  Puritan  clergy  were 
humorous  men,  and  were  not  afraid  to  put  their  wit 
into  the  pulpit.  They  had  no  modern  clackers,  but 
when  the  minister  said  a good  thing,  the  people  said 
h-u-m,  and  the  preachers  rather  liked  it. 

Rowland  Hill  was  nearly  fifty  years  minister  of 
Surrey  Chapel.  He  rarely  preached  a sermon  in  which 
he  did  not  both  make  the  congregation  laugh  and  cry. 
One  night  there  was  a disturbance  in  the  gallery.  Hill 
directed  his  attention  to  the  tumult,  and  said,  very 
slowly,  ‘ ‘ When  the  sons  of  Grod  came  together,  Satan 
came  also  among  them,”  shaking  his  finger  slowly  at 
the  noisy  crowd.  A workman  arose  in  the  gallery, 
pulled  down  his  forelock,  and  replied  : ‘‘  May  it  please 
your  reverence,  ’ taint  the  devil  neither.  It’ s a woman 
wots  fainted.  She’s  a fat  un,  and  they  can’t  get  her 
out.”  “Oh,  that’s  it,”  said  the  preacher,  “is  it? 
Then  I ask  the  woman’s  pardon  and — the  devil’s  too.” 

Dominie  Johnson  was  one  of  the  early  Episcopal 
preachers  of  Brooklyn.  He  was  not  as  strict  a church-  ^ 
man  nor  as  exact  a follower  of  the  Rubric  as  the  fol- 
lowers  of  modern  days.  He  was  a sort  of  Presby- 
terian in  robes  using  the  prayer-book.  He  had  good 
strong  common  sense  with  a vein  of  humor  running 
through  all  his  life,  and  his  methods  of  reproof  won, 
but  did  not  wound.  One  day  a couple  of  young  men 
sitting  in  the  front  gallery  annoyed  him  by  their  con- 
versation. He  stopped  in  the  sermon  and  asked  their 
attention  a moment ; he  said,  ‘ ‘ I am  sorry  the  sexton 
treated  you  so  badly.  He  gave  you  an  uncomfortable 
seat,  and  I don’ t wonder  you  have  been  talking  about 
33 


354 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


it  ever  since  you  have  come  in.  You  need  not  say  any 
thing  more  about  it,  for  I will  see  that  when  you  come 
next  Sunday,  you  have  just  as  good  a seat  as  any 
body  in  the  house.”  The  young  men  joined  the  parish, 
and  their  children  are  now  members  of  old  St.  John’s. 

Lyman  Beechek  was  a very  humorous  specimen 
of  the  old-time  clergy.  He  did  not  always  keep  his 
humor  out  of  the  pulpit.  He  needed  exercise  on  Sun- 
day. He  would  not  work;  he  dared  not  ride,  so  he 
shoveled  sand  in  the  cellar ; he  choose  sand  because  it 
made  no  noise.  A young  man  came  to  town  with  an 
Episcopal  ordination  on  him.  He  tried  to  convince 
Mr.  Beecher  that  he  had  no  right  to  preach,  because  the 
bishop  of  his  church  had  not  laid  his  hands  upon  him. 

I will  tell  you  a story,”  said  the  old  divine.  “ There 
was  a blacksmith  in  our  town,  and  his  father  was  a 
blacksmith  before  him,  and  his  grandfather  before  him. 
He  was  a clumsy  shoer,  his  tools  were  coarse,  and  his 
scythes  without  temper.  A new-comer  disturbed  his 
peace  and  took  the  town  custom.  He  regarded  the 
new-comer  as  an  interloper,  and  thought  he  ought  to 
have  the  custom  because  of  his  descent  from  his 
father  and  grandfather.  ‘ I care  nothing  about  your 
father  nor  your  grandfather,’  said  the  new  blacksmith. 
My  scythes  cut.  I would  rather  have  this  brand  on  my 
tools  than  a certificate  of  descent  from  Tubal  Cain.’  ” 

• I>r.  Beecher  produced  a great  excitement  in  Boston. 
He  attacked  Unitarianism  with  a vigorous  hand.  He 
had  blows  to  take  as  well  as  blows  to  give.  Some  of 
the  assaults  on  him  were  clearly  libelous.  His  friends 
advised  him  to  sue  the  maligners.  He  said,  “No. 
When  I lived  in  Litchfield,  I wanted  a book  from  the 
library  of  Yale  College.  On  my  return,  I walked  up 
the  hill  with  the  folio  under  my  arm.  I saw  a black 
and  white  squirrel  before  me,  and  I said.  Shoo  ! The 


HUMOR  OF  SOBER  MEM. 


355 


squirrel  did  not  run,  but  turned  and  looked  at  me.  I 
shied  a stone,  and  it  missed.  In  my  excitement  I 
hurled  the  volume.  The  book  was  ruined,  and  I had 
to  burn  my  clothes.  Since  that  time  I have  never 
thrown  a body  of  divinity  at  a skunk.” 

T was  one  day  at  the  noon  prayer-meeting  at  the 
Old  South.  Dr.  Beecher  sat  in  front  of  the  desk.  A 
western  man  told  the  story  of  a minister,  who  preached 
a sermon  on  a stormy  day  to  a single  hearer.  That 
hearer  was  converted  and  became  a minister.  Pointing 
his  finger  to  Dr.  Beecher,  the  stranger  said:  “I  am 
happy  to  see  the  man  who  preach  d that  sermon,  in 
this  house  this  morning.”  Dr.  Beecher  sprang  to  his 
feet  greatly  excited,  and  in  a loud  tone  of  voice  said  : 

There  is  not  one  word  of  truth  in  what  that  man  says. 

I should  not  be  such  a fool  as  to  preach  a sermon  to  a 
single  individual.  I have  chased  that  lie  all  over  the 
country.” 

It  is  well  known  that  Henry  Ward  Beecher  keeps  a 
EEPOETER  in  his  church.  The  form  of  Mr.  Ellenwood 
is  as  well  known  as  that  of  the  Plymouth  pastor.  He 
has  sat  for  years  at  a little  table  in  front  of  the  plat- 
form, and  takes  down  everything  Mr.  Beecher  says, — 
his  notices,  prayers,  and  sermons.  These  Mr.  Beecher 
revises  before  they  are  published.  Sharp,  racy,  humor- 
ous utterances,  keen  remarks,  sentences  thrown  off  in 
the  heat  of  speaking,  witticisms  that  shake  the  Plym- 
outh audience,  as  the  forest  leaves  are  shaken  by  the  _ 
winds,  are  often  missed  in  the  public  report.  Many  of 
the  illustrations  lose  much  of  their  point,  because  no 
reporter  can  take  down  the  manner  of  their  utterance. 
His  familiar  illustrations  are  drawn  from  his  own  family, 
and  these  are  constant.  On  a Sunday  morning  he 
brought  his  stepmother  on  to  the  platform.  He  de- 


356 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


scribed  lier  as  a woman  of  great  excellence,  but  as  a great 
martinet,  strict  in  her  religious  practices  and  teachings, 
and  like  the  mistress  of  Dotheboys  Hall,  she  gave  her 
children  weekly  a stiff  dose  of  the  catechism.  She  was 
the  pink  of  propriety,  and  held  in  abhorrence  all  vain 
and  trifling  amusements.  Hr.  Beecher  had  a weakness 
— that  of  playing  on  a fiddle.  He  mixed  up  ‘‘  Yankee 
Hoodie,”  a round  country-dance,  and  ‘‘Old  Hundred,” 
and  he  did  not  exactly  know  where  the  one  began  and 
the  other  ended.  One  day  he  was  amusing  himself  on 
his  favorite  instrument,  and  struck  up  a genuine  jig, 
which,  unsanctified,  had  been  running  in  his  head  ever 
since  he  was  a boy.  Just  at  that  moment  the  mother  came 
in  and,  catching  the  inspiration  of  the  tune,  placed  her 
hands  on  her  hips  and  actually  danced  a minuet.  Mr. 
Beecher  described  the  scene.  He  stepped  back  on  the 
j)latform,  placed  his  hands  on  his  hips,  and  showed  the 
audience  how  his  mother  did  it.  He  described  the  con- 
sternation of  the  children.  He  clasped  his  hands, 
rolled  up  the  whites  of  his  eyes  like  a regular  Maw- 
worm,  opened  his  mouth,  drew  down  his  lips,  and  stood 
the  personification  of  rustic  horror.  The  whole  scene 
w^as  irresistibly  comic.  He  wound  up  with  the  moral 
that  if  his  mother  had  danced  more  and  plied  the  cate- 
chism less,  he  would  have  had  a happier  childhood. 

There  are  few  sharper  men  at  repartee  than  Henry 
W ard  Beecher.  There  are  few  livelier  places  than  Ply- 
mouth Lecture  Boom  on  Friday  night.  Mr.  Beecher 
treats  his  people  as  he  does  his  family.  He  sits  in  his 
chair  as  cozily  as  he  would  at  his  fireside,  and  says  any 
racy,  jolly  thing  that  comes  into  his  mind.  When 
anybody  bores  him  with  a long  speech  he  brings  them 
up  with  a round  turn.  If  they  retort,  he  brings  the 
laugh  upon  them,  and  they  sit  down  covered  with  con- 
fusion. Very  few  Plymouth  people  try  a retort  with 


HUMOR  OF  SOBER  MEN. 


357 


the  pastor.  A very  venerable  and  solemn  deacon  was 
one  night  pronouncing  a funeral  oration  over  the  past 
members  of  the  church.  “I  was  recalling,”  he  said, 
(and  this  was  uttered  in  a very  whining  and  solemn 
tone),  ‘‘  the  large  number  of  people  who  used  to  take 
part  in  this  meeting,  who  are  now  dead.  I have  the 
names  of  thirty  or  forty  at  home  written  in  a hymn- 
•book,  I think,  Mr.  Beecher,  by  yourself.”  Mr.  Beecher 
sprang  up,  and  said,  ‘‘There!  I missed  that  hymn- 

book,  but  I did  not  think.  Deacon , you  had  stolen 

it.  Won’t  you  send  it  back?”  A general  laugh  ran 
around  the  room,  and  the  deacon  suddenly  terminated 
his  funeral  oration. 

One  Friday  night  while  the  congregation  were  sing- 
ing a beautiful  hymn,  in  which  Mr.  Beecher  was  join- 
ing heartily,  the  assistant  minister  came  up,  arrested 
the  pastor’s  attention  by  pulling  his  pants  and  handed 
him  a note.  At  the  close  of  the  hymn  Mr.  Beecher  re- 
buked the  irreverence  that  grew  out  of  a defective 
education,  which  did  not  regard  singing  as  a part  of 
devotion,  which  took  the  time  of  song  for  opening  and 
shutting  windows,  rushing  round  and  doing  chores 
generally.  Even  ministers  would  use  that  time  to 
scribble  their  notes,  look  over  their  sermons  or  call  up 
the  sexton  and  send  him  around  the  church  on  errands. 
He  then  read  very  impressively  two  verses  of  the  hymn 
they  were  singing  when  he  was  interrupted,  to  show 
that  it  was  really  a prayer.  “Had  I heen  making  a 

prayer  and  brother had  come  and  twitched  my 

pants  and  handed  me  a note,  the  whole  congregation 
would  have  been  shocked.”  To  ward  off  the  blow 

brother said  : “ Mr.  Beecher,  I hadn’ t any  hymn- 

book.”  “And  you  hadn’t  any  prayer-book,”  was  the 
quick  retort  which  the  people  relished  keenly. 


358 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Senator  Dickinson  was  a very  adroit  man.  A 
party  of  gentlemen  were  together,  and  were  telling  old- 
time  stories.  One  referred  to  Senator  Dickinson.  He 
was  not  over-learned,  but  was  very  shrewd.  He  knew 
absolutely  nothing  of  the  classics  and  was  greatly 
annoyed  when  one  quoted  Latin.  Van  Buren  had 
swung  off  into  Free  Soil  and  the  burden  of  the  party 
was  on  Dickinson’s  shoulders.  A friend  of  Van  Burem 
was  eulogizing  the  ex-president  in  a speech.  He  spoke 
of  Cur  tins  and  compared  Van  Buren  to  that  noble 
Homan.  Dickinson  went  over  to  a seat  occupied  by  a 
senator  who  was  at  home  in  all  that  relates'  to  the 
Romans.  “ "Who  is  this  Curtis,  the  senator  is  talking 
about  O,  he  is  not  talking  about  Curtis  at  all.  He 
is  talking  of  a noble  Roman  patriot.  His  name  was 
Curtius,  not  Curtis. ” “ W ell,  what  did  he  do  “ Why, 
in  the  time  of  a great  public  calamity  he  threw  himself 
into  the  breach,  and  saved  his  country.”  “ 0 ! that’s  it, 
is  it.  What  did  you  say  his  name  was  ‘‘  Curtius.” 
“ Won’t  you  spell  it?”  C-u-r-t-i-u-s.”  “ All  right. 

Thank  you,”  said  Dickinson  as  he  went  to  his  seat. 
As  soon  as  the  defender  of  Van  Buren  took  his  seat, 
Dickinson  arose,  fresh,  confident,  exuberant.  He 
closed  like  a man  fresh  from  the  classics.  ‘‘  And  who 
is  this  Curtius,  to  whom  the  honorable  senator  com- 
pares Martin  Van  Buren?  He  was  a noble  Roman. 
He  was  a patriot.  But  how  unlike  Mr.  Van  Buren  ! 
Curtius  threw  himself  into  the  breach  to  save  his  coun- 
try. But  Martin  Van  Buren  threw  his  country  into 
the  breach  to  save  himself.” 

Just  before  Mr.  Seward  handed  over  the  depart- 
ment of  state  to  the  premier  of  Gen.  Grant’s  Adminis- 
tration, I called  on  the  secretary  at  his  official  resi- 
dence. He  was  in  fine  health  and  spirits,  and  spent  an 
hour  in  chatty  conversation.  President  Lincoln  being 


HUMOR  OF  SOBER  MEN. 


359 


the  subject  of  the  talk.  Mr.  Lincoln,  he  said,  carried 
with  him  through  his  whole  career  as  President,  the 
simple  habits  which  marked  him  in  his  law  practice  in 
Springfield.  If  he  wanted  anything  of  the  depart- 
ments, instead  of  ringing  his  bell  and  calling  his  mes- 
senger he  would  take  his  hat  and  run  around  from  one 
office  to  another,  just  as  one  lawyer  would  run  round 
to  the  office  of  a brother  practitioner.  If  missed  at  night 
those  in  the  secret  could  track  him  from  place  to  jjlace 
and  be  sure  to  come  up  with  the  President  in  some  one 
of  his  favorite  haunts.  He  saw  no  reason  why  he 
should  not  enjoy  himself  as  President  as  well  as  when 
he  was  plain  Abraham  Lincoln.  The  President  had 
the  utmost  horror  of  form  and  red  tape.  He  did  not 
care  how  things  were  done,  provided  they  were  done. 
Adjutant-General  Thomas  was  sent  out  to  relieve  Gene- 
ral Grant.  Before  he  had  a chance  to  serve  his  papers 
Yicksburgh  surrendered  and  Thomas  did  not  dare  dis- 
turb matters,  so  he  came  home  to  make  his  ijeace  with 
the  President ; for  as  a soldier — and  in  time  of  war — he 
had  violated  orders.  He  sent  a friend  in  to  sound  the 
President  on  his  return  to  Washington.  The  Presi- 
dent was  delighted  at  the  surrender.  Rubbing  his 
hands  he  said  : ‘‘Tell  Thomas  to  come  in.  He  did  just 
right.  He  ought  to  have  been  shot  if  he  obeyed 
orders.” 

One  day  a lady  came  to  Mr.  Seward’s  office  and 
handed  him  a scrap  of  paper  on  which  was  scribbled  a few 
lines.  The  jmrport  of  the  note  was  : “ Let  this  woman 
have  one  hundred  dollars  on  account  of  the  secret 
service  fund,  and  send  her  on  her  mission.”  The  note 
was  signed  A.  L.  It  is  well  known  that  Congress  votes 
the  President  from  sixty  thousand  to  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars  annually,  as  a secret  service  fund. 
Of  this,  the  Secretary  of  State  is  custodian.  He  must 


360 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


countersign  the  President’s  order,  or  not  a dollar  of  the 
fund  can  be  used.  But  after  the  President  receives  the 
money,  nobody  can  inquire  what  he  does  with  it.  Mr. 
Seward  inquired  of  the  woman  what  secret  service  she 
was  to  perform,  that  would  justify  his  paying  her  one 
hundred  dollars.  “ Well,  she  was  going  to  England  to 
create  a public  sentiment  there  in  favor  of  our  coun- 
try.” The  case  was  what  Mr.  Seward  supposed.  The 
woman  had  been  hanging  around  the  White  House, 
bothering  the  life  out  of  the  President,  and  to  get  rid 
of  her,  he  pro]30sed  to  give  her  a hundred  dollars.  I 
can  give  you  no  money  for  such  a purpose,”  said  the 
Secretary  of  State.  ‘Wour  services  are  worth  noth- 
ing. In  London  you  would  be  a damage  and  not  a 
benefit  to  us.  I can’t  throw  away  the  people’s  money 
in  that  fashion  -for  you.”  The  lady  was  not  only  in- 
dignant but  astonished.  ‘‘So  you  refuse  to  obey  the 
President’s  order  ?”  “I  do.”  “And  you  are  a greater 
man  than  Mr.  Lincoln,  and  when  he  says  let  me  have  a 
hundred  dollars  of  his  own  money,  you  say  I sha’n’t 
have  it.”  “Well,  madam,  if  the  President  wants  to 
give  you  a hundred  dollars  out  of  his  own  salary,  he 
has  a perfect  right  to  do  it.  But  you  can  have  no 
money  out  of  the  secret  service  fund  for  such  a tom 
fool’s  errand  as  you  are  starting  on.”  “Give  me  my 
papers,  sir,  if  you  please,”  said  the  excited  lady,  and 
off  she  started  to  find  the  President.  Mr.  Lincoln 
groaned  as  she  crossed  the  threshold.  “Well,  what 
now  ?”  “ Mr.  Seward  won’t  give  me  the  money,”  and 

she  told  her  story.  “Well,  madam,”  said  the  Presi- 
dent, ‘ ‘ I can  do  no  more  for  you.  I told  you  that  I 
had  very  little  influence  with  this  administration  !” 

A well-known  newspaper  publisher  of  Boston  was 
celebrated  for  his  penuriousness.  A patron  of  the 
paper  came  in  one  day  for  an  extra  copy.  Almost  any 


HUMOR  OF  SOBER  MEN. 


361 


one  would  have  handed  the  customer  a paper,  and 
said,  ‘‘You  are  welcome  to  a copy.”  The  publisher 
demanded  the  customary  price.  The  gentleman  had 
only  a ten-dollar  bill.  JNTot  at  all  dismayed  the  pub- 
lisher took  the  scrip,  and  went  out  to  get  it  changed. 
In  speaking  of  the  affair  one  day  one  gentleman  said 
to  another:  “I  am  not  surprised,  for  I was  in  college 
with  him.”  “What  sort  of  a boy  was  he?”  “He 
was  the  meanest  fellow  you  ever  knew.  He  went  be- 
hind the  college  buildings  to  eat  his  nuts  and  raisins, 
so  that  he  need  not  give  the  fellows  any.” 

The  son  of  a rich  Bostonian  was  light-headed. 
He  was  as  near  a fool  as  a rich  man’s  boy  could  be. 
He  knew  enough  to  build  a house.  He  had  a little 
den  of  a room  he  called  his  library.  To  his  friends  he 
said  : “You  see  I can  shut  myself  in  here,  it  is  so  re- 
tired, and  study  a month  ; nobody  would  be  the  wiser 
for  it.”  He  had  a quarrel  one  day  with  a gentleman, 
and  he  went  down  to  Choate’s  office  to  consult  him  on 
the  matter.  He  paid  tifty  dollars  as  a retainer,  and 
said,  “I  have  been  grossly  insulted.  I want  you  to 
advise  me  what  to  do.”  “What  was  the  nature  of  the 
insult?”  said  Choate.  “The  man  told  me  to  go  to 

h .”  “He  told  you  that,  did  he?”  and  the  great 

advocate  arose  to  look  into  the  law  of  it.  He  turned 
to  his  client  very  gravely,  and  said,  “I  wouldn’t  do  it. 
There  is  no  law  in  Massachusetts  to  compel  you  to.” 
And  the  young  man  departed  greatly  relieved.  In  re- 
lation to  bail  the  court  asked  Mr-  Choate  if  he  consid- 
ered a man  presented  responsible.  Mr.  Choate  replied 
that  the  party  in  question  had  one  piece  of  personal 
property  for  which  he  had  refused  to  take  ten  thousand 
dollars.  The  piece  of  property  so  named  was  the  man’s 
own  nose. 


3G3 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


A professor  called  on  the  late  Deacoi^  Shute  to 
bay  a hat.  He  selected  a four-dollar  cotton  hat.  The 
hatter  took  down  an  elegant  French  hat  very  much  in 
use  at  that  time,  and  wished  him  to  take  that.  ‘^The 
price  of  the  hat  is  six  dollars ; you  shall  have  it  for 
four.”  “Well,”  said  the  professor,  “that  is  very 
kind  ; but  would  you  just  as  soon  let  me  take  the 
cotton  hat,  and  give  me  the  two  dollars  in  money  f ’ 
The  boys  used  to  say  that  the  professor  had  dumplings 
for  dinner  on  Monday  because  they  could  be  boiled 
with  the  clothes  and  save  fuel. 

John  Todd,  in  the  early  part  of  his  ministry,  was 
always  in  hot  water.  In  G-roton  he  had  a violent  con- 
troversy with  one  of  the  prominent  men.  The  parish- 
ioner named  one  of  his  pigs,  “John  Todd.”  The 
preacher  sent  him  a letter,  thanking  him  for  the  com- 
pliment, and  especially  as  he  had  named  one  of  the 
likeliest  of  his  family  after  him. 

Dr.  Sprague,  of  Dublin,  N.  H.,  was  a very  eccen- 
tric, as  well  as  a very  witty  man.  The  clergy  were 
divided,  at  that  early  day,  between  Liberals  and 
Calvinists.  A neighbor  of  Dr.  Sprague  was  a very 
severe  theologian.  The  gentlemen  were  together  one 
day,  when  the  visitor  said:  “How  is  it.  Brother 
Sprague,  that  our  hogs  are  so  much  fatter  than  yours  ?” 
“Your  hogs  have  brimstone  once  a week,  and  ours 
don’t ; and  brimstone  is  good  for  hogs.”  He  read  his 
text  one  day  : “ Is  thy  servant  a dog  that  he  should  do 
this  great  thing?”  He  added,  quaintly  : “And  yet  the 
dog  he  did  it.”  One  of  his  customs  in  preaching  was 
to  turn  round  in  the  pulpit  and  catch  flies  that  lighted 
on  the  window. 

Kev.  Mr.  Hopkins,  of  Salem,  had  an  impediment 


HUMOR  OF  SOBER  MEM. 


363 


in  his  speech  which  made  some  of  his  readings  very 
ludicrous.  Thus  : “ The  Lord  spake  unto  Moses,  say- 
ing— boo.”  One  day  he  said  to  his  congregation : 
‘‘As  I was  walking  to  church  to-day,  two  irreverent 
youths  walking  behind  me  said  : ‘ Let  us  go  and  hear 
Old  Hopkins  say  boo.  ’ Boo,  my  brethren.”  Dr. 
Emmons  preached  a sermon  against  Universalism. 
The  sermon  was  replied  to,  and  Dr.  Emmons  was  asked 
for  a copy  of  his  sermon,  that  the  two  might  be  pub- 
lished together.  “It  can’t  be  done,”  said  the  sage  of 
Franklin.  “ The  law  of  God  forbids  the  yoking  of  an 
ox  and  ass  together.”  The  Universalists  had  the  best 
of  it  when  they  asked  the  preacher  which  was  the  ass. 
He  had  a trunk  full  of  sermons.  He  lifted  the  lid  one 
day,  and  said  to  Dr.  Hawes:  “Joel,  I have  got  all 
these  to  answer  for.” 

Dr.  Strot^g,  of  Hartford,  was  part  owner  of  a dis- 
tillery. He  lived  opposite  the  church,  and  he  used  to 
take  a little  mug  over  with  him  on  Sundays.  When 
asked  why  he  did  not  let  the  sexton  carry  the  mug 
into  the  pulpit,  he  replied,  “ That  his  sexton  had  a 
weakness  for  white  mugs.”  He  built  an  elegant  house 
for  the  time,  which  gave  great  offense.  A devout  brother 
rode  several  miles  to  administer  a rebuke  to  the  city 
divine.  Dr*  Story  saw  him  hitching  his  old  horse  to 
the  post,  and  went  to  the  door  to  avert  the  bolt.  The 
reprover  stood  on  the  steps,  looking  up,  exclaimed: 
“Brother  Strong,  you  have  got  all  swept  and  gar- 
nished?” “Certainly.  Please  to  enter,”  was  the 
bland  reply. 

Dr.  Chapin,  of  Wethersfield,  was  celebrated  for 
his  wit.  On  his  death-bed  a sober  brother  stood  by 
him.  “ Brother  Chapin,  don’t  you  think  you  have 
been  a little  light  and  trilling  in  your  day  ? Are  there 


364 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


not  some  flies  in  your  ointment?”  ‘‘  Flies,  flies,”  said 
the  dying  man.  ‘‘Yes,  a good  many  of  them,  and  some 
of  them  big  as  bumble-bees.” 

Dr.  Howe,  of  Horthborough,  sometimes  met  his 
match.  A little  boy  was  sent  to  the  parsonage  with  a 
quarter  of  meat.  He  had  visited  the  parsonage  often, 
and  had  never  gotten  anything  for  it.  One  day  he  was 
quite  rude  and  gave  great  offense  to  the  minister.  Dr. 
Howe  said  : “Boy,  sit  down  in  the  chair  and  let  me 
show  you  how  you  ought  to  visit  the  parsonage.”  The 
doctor  took  the  meat  and  went  outside  and  gave  a 
respectable  knock  on  the  door.  “ Come  in,”  said  the 
lad.  In  a very  polite  way  Dr.  Howe  presented  the 
meat.  “You’re  a nice  lad,”  was  the  response,  “and 
here’s  a quarter  for  you,  v/hich  you  shall  have  every 
time  you  come.” 

A MINISTER  complained  of  his  congregation  that 
they  did  not  keei3  awake  while  he  was  preaching.  He 
answered  a railroad  advertisement  for  sleepers,  offering 
seventy  and  warranting  them  sound.  Trouble  arose  in 
the  parish  and  he  was  dismissed.  He  jjreached  a 
farewell  sermon  from  the  words:  “Sleep  on  now  and 
take  your  rest.”  I went  up  the  North  Diver  in  a 
steamboat.  There  were  several  ministers  on  board  re- 
turning from  an  association.  On  the  trip  a notice  ap- 
peared in  the  gangway  reading  in  this  wise  : “Lost,  a 
valise  containing  several  manuscript  sermons  in  writ- 
ing and  other  articles  of  clothing.” 

I sat  down  to  a dinner  in  London,  the  table  being 
laid  in  a prominent  church.  The  liquors  were  abund- 
ant and  varied.  I never  saw  such  a variety  and 
quantity  at  any  military  dinner  in  New  York.  After 
the  eating  was  over,  the  chairman,  a well-known  city 


HUMOR  OF  SOBER  MEN. 


3G5 


pastor,  arose,  and  said  : Brethren,  till  your  glasses. 

Here’s  to  the  health  of  the  pastor  of  this  church.” 
This  was  drank  with  all  honors.  The  glasses  were 
tilled  again  to  the  pastor’s  wife.  Then  to  the  elders 
each.  It  was  curious  to  see  how  many  men  it  took  to 
run  a church  in  London. 

The  Father  of  Mills,  of  the  haystack  memory, 
was  known  as  Father  Mills.  He  was  a sort  of  bishop 
in  his  way,  traveling  from  point  to  point,  everywhere 
welcomed,  and  everywhere  honored.  He  drove  his 
own  wagon,  and  had  favorite  taverns  on  the  road  at 
which  he  was  accustomed  to  stop  to  refresh  man  and 
beast.  No  man  was  thought  the  worse,  if  he  was 
regular  with  the  ^‘eleven  o’clock”  and  ‘Mour  o’clock.” 
Sling  was  the  popular  drink — half-and-half — a gill 
of  Jamaica  and  a gill  of  water.  The  weary  minister 
sat  in  an  arm-chair  in  a public  room.  ‘‘  Deacon  Jones, 
can  I have  a glass  of  sling  with  a half  a gill  of  rum  in 
it?”  ‘‘You  can.”  It  was  prepared,  and  Father 
Mills  sat  by  the  tire  enjoying  the  favorite  mixture. 
As  he  took  the  last  swallow  he  said  : “ Deacon  Jones, 
how  much  rum  did  you  put  into  that  drink  ?”  “I  put 
in  what  you  told  me.  I made  the  sling  and  added  a 
half  a gill  of  rum.”  “Deacon  Jones,  won’t  you  bring 
up  my  horse  ?”  The  dominie  was  drunk. 

Dr.  Sprague,  referred  to  above,  was  once  preach- 
ing on  the  miracle  of  the  loaves  and  fishes.  He  said 
they  were  no  such  paltry  loaves  as  we  have  in  these 
days.  They  were  big,  yes,  quite  as  big  as  the  Monad- 
noc  Mountain.  Looking  out  the  pulpit  window  on  the 
mountain,  he  shook  his  head,  and  said  : “My  brethren, 
I don’ t know  about  that.  It’ s a tough  match.  ’ ’ He  had 
an  infidel  in  his  parish,  that  annoyed  him  greatly,  that 
sometimes  got  the  best  of  the  dominie.  The  doctor 


€66 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


preached  one  day  on  the  devil,  as  a roaring  lion.  The 
infidel,  who  was  a regular  attendant  on  public  worship, 
met  the  preacher  as  he  came  out  of  church.  ‘‘  Your 
devil  is  a fool.  Eoars,  does  he  1 when  he  wants  to 
catch  somebody.  Clever  fellow  ! let’s  them  know  he’s 
coming.” 

Me.  Mooee,  of  Milford,  was  a witty  and  forehanded 
divine.  He  saw  at  the  start,  that  his  salary  was  to  be 
small,  and,  to  use  his  own  phrase,  he  thought  the  min- 
ister of  the  parish  should  be  well  supported,  and  he 
concluded  to  support  himself.  By  saving  and  farm- 
ing, he  became  one  of  the  wealthiest  men  in  the  county. 
A secret  society  held  a meeting  in  his  church,  and  he 
was  invited  to  make  a prayer.  He  declined,  because 
he  knew  nothing  about  the  organization.  He  finally 
yielded,  and  his  prayer  in  substance,  was  this:  ‘‘Oh, 
Lord  we  have  met,  for  we  know  not  what.  If  it  is  a 
good  thing,  wilt  Thou  bless  it,  if  it  is  a bad  thing,  wilt 
Thou  curse  it.”  The  society  was  greatly  incensed. 
The  pastor  quietly  replied  : “ When  I go  into  my  cel- 
lar and  tap  a barrel  of  cider,  I have  to  take  what  runs.” 

JosHUE  Flago  was  an  old-time  Universalist  minis- 
ter,— a man  without  education,  whose  moral  standard 
was  not  very  high.  He  possessed  a rough  vehement  or- 
atory. He  kej^t  a tavern  at  one  time,  and  his  house 
was  so  demoralizing,  that  the  town  took  away  his 
license.  The  General  Convention  met  at  Winchester, 
and  Thomas  J.  Sawyer  was  to  be  ordained.  Out  of 
respect  for  his  years  and  services,  Mr.  Flagg  was  as- 
signed the  ordaining  prayer.  He  brought  the  house 
down  by  this  x)assage  : “Oh!  Lord,  wiU  Thou  bless 
Andrew  Jackson,  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  and  grant  that  he  may  beat 
all  his  political  enemies,  as  he  beat  the  British  band  at 
the  battle  of  New  Orleans.” 


HUMOR  OF  SOBER  MEM. 


36? 


A PAKiSHiOT^ER  sent  to  Dr.  Howe  a quaiter  of  meat. 
When  the  servant  announced  the  donation,  the  old 
man  said,  “ I will  go  out  and  look  at  it.’’  He  jjoked  it 
with  his  cane,  and  with  an  expression  of  disgust  on  his 
countenance  exclaimed  : It’s  nothing  but  a fore-quar- 
ter, but  you  may  bring  it  in,  boy.” 

A SEXSATiox  preacher  of  Brooklyn  used  occasion- 
ally to  shake  up  his  congregation  by  his  illustrations. 
One  day  he  preached  on  prayer.  He  told  the  story  of 
a man  who  turned  pious,  went  to  his  minister,  and  had 
a prayer  written  for  him.  This  he  pasted  on  his  foot- 
board. When  he  turned  down  his  light  he  would  point 
to  the  paper,  and  say,  “Lord,  them’s  my  sentiments,” 
as  he  Jumped  into  bed. 

Dr.  Bextley,  of  Salem,  during  the  War  of  1812, 
found  a hat  full  of  notices  awaiting  his  attention  in  the 
pulpit.  He  took  up  both  hands  full,  held  them  up  be- 
fore the  people,  and  said  : “ Brethren,  here’s  all  sorts 
of  people  asking  for  all  sorts  of  things.  Let  us  pray.” 

Dr.  Byles,  of  Boston,  was  the  only  Tory  in  New 
England.  A guard  was  kept  over  his  house  to  prevent 
the  boys  giving  him  a coat  of  tar  and  feathers.  An 
elegant  Boston  girl  refused  to  marry  him,  and  allied 
herself  to  one  of  the  Quincy s.  When  the  divine  met 
her  he  said:  “So  so,  madam,  you  prefer  Quincy  to 
Byles.”  “Yes,  sir;  and  had  there  been  anything 
worse  than  Byles,  God  would  have  brought  them  on 
Job  when  he  afflicted  him.” 


368 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


CXXYII. 

JOSEPH  P.  HALE. 

R.  HALE  has  placed  his  name  among  the  emi- 
nent benefactors  of  the  age.  He  has  pro- 
duced an  entire  revolution  in  piano-building. 
This  instrument,  formerly  a luxury  and  at 
high  cost,  has  been  placed  within  the  reach  of  the  mid- 
dle and  artisan  classes.  The  farmer  on  the  prairie,  the 
miner  on  the  mountain,  the  fisherman  on  the  sea-coast, 
and  the  intelligent  mechanic  anywhere,  can  adorn  his 
home  and  educate  his  children  with  this  elegant  instru- 
ment. The  system  by  which  a substantial  piano  can 
be  bought  at  less  than  half  the  ordinary  price  origi- 
nated with  Mr.  Hale,  and  by  him  has  been  perfected. 
He  has  been  his  own  educator,  the  builder  of  his  own 
style  of  business,  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune.  He 
is  one  of  the  marked  men  of  the  age.  His  business  is 
simply  gigantic.  It  costs  him  a million  a year  to  run 
it.  From  Christmas  to  Christmas  he  turns  out  five 
thousand  five  hundred  pianos.  He  has  twelve  hundred 
men  on  his  pay-roll,  who  are  paid  $12,000  a week.  For 
sixteen  years  he  has  been  manufacturing  pianos  in 
Xew  York;  during  all  this  time  Mr.  Hale  has  never 
made  a note,  nor  borrowed  a dollar,  nor  incurred  a 
debt  that  he  did  not  pay  on  Saturday  night.  For  ten 
years  he  had  no  clerk  or  book-keeper  ; no  foreman  or 
collector.  Immense,  complicated,  and  distracting  as 
the  business  was,  he  held  everything  in  his  own  hands, 
made  his  own  contracts,  sold  his  goods,  made  all  his 
purchases,  and  kept  his  own  accounts.  Not  one  man 
in  a thousand  could  have  done  this  and  made  it  a suc- 


cess. 


JOSEPH  P.  HALE, 


369 


His  system  is  a peculiar  one.  He  does  not  believe 
in  red  tape,  huge  commissions,  nor  paying  from  thirty 
to  forty  per  cent,  to  music-men  or  music-dealers  for 
their  good-will.  Far-seeing,  cool-headed,  a mechanical 
exxDert  with  uncommon  judgment,  he  proposed  to  revo- 
lutionize the  piano  trade.  He  saw  no  reason  why  the 
community  should  pay  $800  for  an  instrument  that 
could  be  afforded  at  $400  ; nor  give  $600  for  what  should 
cost  $200  and  allow  a fair  profit.  He  conceived  it  to  be 
a duty  to  utilize  the  piano,  and  bring  its  boon  to  the 
masses  as  the  printing-press  and  the  telegraph-wire 
come  to  all.  In  carrying  out  this  idea  of  reducing  the 
incredible  amount  of  profits,  Mr.  Hale  has  been  emi- 
nently successful.  He  has  built  a piano  of  excellent 
qualities  and  elegant  finish,  and  in  material,  range, 
compass,  tone,  wearing  power,  and  durability,  which, 
with  the  low  price,  has  astonished  the  dealers  of  the 
world.  He  sells  only  at  wholesale ; while  he  buys 
only  for  cash  himself,  he  gives  liberal  credit  to  his  cus- 
tomers. Once  a year  Mr.  Hale  makes  his  contracts 
with  the  principal  dealers  in  the  principal  cities, — in 
Chicago  and  St.  Louis  ; in  Baltimore  and  Nev/  York  ; 
in  Boston  and  Philadelphia  ; and  in  all  prominent 
cities  West,  North,  and  South.  AYith  all  his  facilities 
for  business,  Mr.  Hale  can  not  fill  his  orders.  From 
three  to  five  hundred  are  constantly  ahead,  and  dealers 
wait  their  turn. 

The  real  value  of  the  piano  is  attested  by  its  popu- 
larity, by  its  increasing  sales  from  year  to  year,  and 
the  system  adopted  in  its  manufacture.  The  pianos 
are  cheap,  not  because  the  material  is  cheap  or  the 
workmanship  faulty,  but  because  the  manufacturer 
knows  how  to  economize  ; knows  how  to  turn  out  an 
instrument  at  the  smallest  possible  cost.  He  gives  the 
benefit  of  this  economy  to  his  customers.  He  contents 
himself  with  a small  profit  of  ten  dollars  on  an  instru- 
24 


370  mCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 

meixt,  and  Ms  immense  sales  bring  him  in  an  income  of 
$55,000  a year.  A Hale  piano  can  be  purchased  for  a 
family  or  a school  for  $200,  and  from  that  upward  to 
$300.  In  tone,  finish,  look  and  durability,  it  will  be 
equal  to  those  in  the  market  for  which  the  sum  of  $600 
is  asked.  Place  them  side  by  side,  cover  up  the 
name,  and  no  one  could  tell  the  high-priced  instrument 
from  Hale’s  low-priced  one.  Mr.  Hale  can  manufac- 
ture a good  piano  cheaper  than  any  other  man  in  the 
United  States.  , He  buys  his  stock  in  immense  quanti- 
ties. He  has  the  best  workmen  in  the  Slate.  Many  of 
his  m«n  have  worked  in  the  leading  piano  factories  of 
the  land.  He  buys  his  material  of  the  same  houses 
that  furnish  material  for  the  costly  pianos.  The  same 
men  who  manufacture  parts  for  an  $800  piano,  do  the 
same^  thing  for  Hale’s  $200  ones.  The  same  men  make 
the  jk'.ey-board,  the  frame,  the  screws,  the  wires  and  the 
feltin^  g.  Borne  of  Hale’ s low-priced  pianos  have  been 
in  use  in  schools  from  six  to  ten  years,  and  have  been 
\ banged  upon  for  ten  hours  a day,  and  are  good  and 
'Sound  I ‘■Ms  moment.  Mr.  Hale’s  customers  not  only 
continue-  from  year  to  year,  but  his  patronage  is  con- 
stantly i ncreasing.  One  Western  customer  who  sold 
sixteen  pianos  a year  now  sells  a thousand. 

Mr.  Hale’s  personal  history  is  as  romantic  as  his 
business  career.  He  was  born  at  Bernardstown,  Mass. 
His  father,  a hearty  farmer,  died  when  J oseph  was  three 
years  old.  His  mother  had. a hand-to-hand  fight  with 
poverty.  She  did  her  best  to  keep  her  little  household 
together  and  give  them  bread.  The  spinning-wdieel 
and  the  loom  afforded  the  narrow  resources  of  support. 
Joseph  was  early  put  to  work.  School  privileges  were 
few,  and  those  he  was  not  permitted  to  enjoy.  He  was 
robust,  intelligent  and  persevering,  and  at  fourteen  did 
the  work  of  a man.  In  his  boyhood  he  exhibited 
marked  talent,  and  that  calibre^  unbending  integrity, 


JOSEPH  P.  HALE. 


371 


and  firmness  of  purpose  wMcli  have  marked  his  maturer 
life.  Like  John  Quincy  Adams,  he  “rode  post.” 
Twice  a week  he  took  the  mail  on  horseback,  riding 
seventy-five  miles,  and  leaving  matter  at  seventeen  post- 
offices.  He  took  cheerfully  any  business  that  was  hon- 
orable, and  did  it  well.  His  theory  was  that  business 
did  not  make  the  man — a resolute,  vigorous  person  could 
achieve  success  out  of  anything.  Such  an  one  could 
go  blindfold  into  life,  lay  his  hands  upon  anything,  and, 
if  he  choose,  win. 

Acting  on  this  principle,  Mr.  Hale  took  anything 
that  promised  a decent  livelihood.  His  real  business 
life  began  in  W orcester . He  had  a faculty  for  building. 
He  erected  a large  number  of  dwellings,  and  was  con- 
tent with  a small  profit.  Beside  building,  he  had  some 
business  constantly  on  hand,  hfow  he  was  a painter, 
he  kept  a shoe  store ; sold  paper-hangings,  crockery 
and  house-furnishing  goods  ; then  he  was  in  the  cut- 
lery business.  All  the  while  his  building  went  on.  He 
would  build  a house  quicker  and  for  less  money  than 
any  man  in  the  State.  He  used  his  own  stock,  painted 
some  of  his  houses  with  his  own  hand,  and  furnished 
others.  He  bought  largely  from  the  great  cities,  and 
imported  some  of  his  own  stock.  His  energy,  his 
indomitable  perseverance,  fine  judgment  and  busi- 
ness capacity,  with  his  probity  and  manly  manners, 
won  the  popular  confidence  and  regard.  He  was  ele- 
vated to  positions  of  civil  trust,  had  an  honorable  place 
in  the  great  association  of  mechanics,  and  ranked  fore- 
most among  the  citizens  of  Worcester. 

In  the  way  of  trade,  he  often  visited  New  York. 
He  saw  at  a glance  that  the  metropolis — the  great 
center  of  trade — was  the  place  for  a man  who  wanted 
to  make  a national  repute.  He  sold  out  his  business 
sixteen  years  ago,  and  came  to  the  city.  He  had  a 
capital  of  about  thirty  thousand  dollars,  was  free  from 


372 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


debt,  with  no  business  on  hand.  He  could  not  long  be 
idle.  He  formed  a partnership  with  a manufacturer  of 
pianos  ; for  Mr.  Hale  saw  that  there  was  money  in  it. 
The  connection  proved  an  unfortunate  one.  The  man 
misrepresented  his  business.  He  was  a schemer,  with- 
out capital,  and  deeply  involved.  Mr.  Hale  bought 
out  this  partner,  and  resolved  hereafter  to  go  alone. 
He  purposed  a revolution  in  the  manufacture  and  sale 
of  pianos.  He  would  throw  on  the  market  an  excellent 
instrument,  at  popular  prices.  The  .industrial  and 
middle  'classes  should  have  a piano  equal  to  the  best, 
at  a low  cost — one  that  should  meet  the  wants  of  the 
American  people.  Here  his  far-sightedness  came  in. 
He  saw  a great  field  for  the  sale  of  his  instruments. 
Music  was  being  introduced  as  a part  of  common-school 
education.  Every  farmer  would  want  a piano  as  much 
as  a cooking-stove.  He  had  no  sympathy  with  high 
prices  and  high  commissions,  and  did  not  care  whether 
the  men  who  were  enjoying  these  exorbitant  rates  were 
friends  or  foes. 

The  system  adopted  by  Mr.  Hale  became  at  once 
immensely  popular.  It  embraced  the  following  fea- 
tures : The  production  of  first-class  pianos,  at  a low 
price,  and  disposing  of  them  so  that  dealers  could  sell 
them,  at  a profit,  at  two  hundred  dollars.  To  bring 
the  price  down,  Mr.  Hale  gave  personal  attention  to  all 
the  details  of  business.  He  watched  every  piece  of 
work  till  the  piano  was  complete.  His  factory  is  noted 
for  holding  all  new  improvements  in  manufacture.  He 
buys  only  the  best  material — buys  for  cash,  in  large 
quantities.  He  buys  at  the  lowest  possible  rates,  and 
often  has  half  a million  feet  of  seasoned  lumber  on 
hand.  Every  workman  is  paid  on  Saturday  afternoon, 
and  every  bill  is  paid  before  Saturday  night.  'No 
liquor  is  allowed  on  the  premises.  A prominent  piano- 
man  said : “ Mr.  Hale,  you  can  not  make  pianos  with- 


JOSEPH  P.  RALE. 


373 


ont  Germans.  You  can  not  have  Germans  without 
beer.”  “Well,”  was  the  reply,  “when  I can  not 
manufacture  pianos  without  beer,  then  I will  close  up.” 
One  thousand  workmen  are  employed  in  the  factory  ; 
some  of  them  came  from  the  leading  establishments  in 
the  city.  If  men  do  not  like  the  rules,  they  are  not 
obliged  to  remain.  Once  discharge’d,  they  are  never 
allowed  to  return. 

The  perfection  of  Hale’s  pianos  grows  out  of  the 
methods  of  work.  Men  work  by  the  piece.  One  man 
does  one  thing  and  nothing  else.  Each  workman  must 
be  on  time;  he  has  a standard  up  to  which  his  work 
must  come.  Every  workman  is  allowed  a certain 
number  of  young  men  who  are  apprenticed  for  three 
years.  The  lads  work  on  the  part  of  the  instrument 
that  the  workman  makes.  The  boy  is  instructed 
without  troubling  the  principal.  When  the  boy’s  work 
comes  up  to  the  standard  the  workman  gets  the  same 
pay  he  has  for  his  own  labor.  At  the  end  of  three 
years  the  boy  has  a good  trade,  a bench  of  tools  and 
regular  employment. 

The  musical  profession  appear  to  have  given  the 
low-priced  piano  a hearty,  honest,  and  universal  in- 
dorsement. A leading  manufacturer  who  charges  the 
highest  price  for  pianos  was  recently  out  West.  He 
looked  into  a large  piano-house.  He  found  six  of  his 
own  instruments  on  sale— grand,  square,  and  upright. 
The  asking  prices  for  these  instruments  was  six,  eight, 
and  ten  hundred  dollars.  In  another  room  were  fifty 
of  Hale’s  pianos.  In  look,  tone,  and  finish,  these  low- 
priced  instruments  were  equal  to  the  costly  ones  in  the 
other  saloon.  The  city  manufacturer  complained  of 
the  meager  display  of  his  own  pianos  as  compared  with 
Hale’s  lower-priced  instruments.  “ That  is  the  way  it 
is,”  said  the  dealer.  “We  have  fifty  orders  for  Hale’s 
pianos  to  one  of  your  high-priced  ones.  These  low- 


374 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


priced  instruments  are  popular.  They  look  well,  wear 
well,  sound  well,  and  there  is  nothing  but  your  name 
to  distinguish  your  instrument  from  Mr.  Hale’s.  Mr. 
Hale  says — and  we  believe  him — that  he  uses  the  same 
material  that  you  use ; puts  in  as  good  work  as  you 
put  in  ; buys  the  different  parts  from  the  men  you  deal 
with ; that  substantially  the  work  is  equal  to  your 
own.  Put  a Hale  piano  into  a school  or  family  in  any 
town  in  the  South  or  West,  and  it  will  bring  orders  for 
a dozen  more.  The  sale  increases  every  year.  My 
orders  are  behind,  and  I cannot  get  pianos  enough  to 
meet  the  demand.  People  are  not  fools.  A man 
could  not  commit  a big  fraud  on  the  public,  continue 
it  for  a period  of  over  sixteen  years,  and  increase  his 
business  and  his  fortune  all  the  while.  Something 
besides  low  prices  distinguishes  Hale’s  pianos.  They 
have  substantial  merit,  and  prove  themselves  what  they 
are  recommended  to  be.” 

Mr.  Hale’s  personal  traits  have  aided  him  in  his 
career.  He  would  attract  attention  anywhere  by  his 
tall  and  commanding  stature.  His  face  beams  with 
intelligence  and  benevolence.  His  unquestioned  busi- 
ness ability  is  manifest  to  all,  with  his  strong  common- 
sense,  keen  judgment,  and  what  the  world  calls  level- 
headedness. He  early  developed  a talent  for  construc- 
tion, for  executive  ability,  and  intuitive  knowledge  of 
men,  that  made  him  everywhere  master  of  the  situation. 
Mr.  Hale  has  kejjt  his  money  out  of  real  estate  and  out 
of  speculations,  held  it  in  his  own  hands,  and  kept  it 
strictly  in  his  business.  When  reverses  came  that 
bring  such  devastation  with  them,  Mr.  Hale,  having  no 
interest  to  pay  and  fearing  no  shrinkage,  has  passed 
through  panics  without  feeling  them.  His  sales  were 
never  larger  and  his  prospects  never  better  than  during 
the  late  linancial  convulsion.  Those  who  dislike  his 
system  of  piano-building  admire  the  manliness  and 


JOSEPH  P,  HALE. 


srs 

integrity  of  the  man.  He  is  recognized  as  ’ a;'  leader 
among  the  manufacturers  of  the  nation.  He  has  been 
called  to  positions  of  trust  by  acclamation.  In  matters 
of  dispute  he  is  accepted  as  an  arbitrator.  His  tine 
judgment  and  probity  seldom  allow  an  appeal.  His 
habits  are  very  simple,  and  he  practices  what  he  de- 
mands of  his  men.  He  uses  no  liquor,  and  does  not 
stimulate  even  with  tea  or  coffee.  When  a lad,  he  saw 
the  woes  and  sorrows  of  drunkenness.  Like  young 
Daniel  in  the  king’s  court,  ‘‘  he  purposed  in  his  heart” 
not  to  drink  wine  nor  strong  drink,  nor  in  any  way 
contribute  to  the  spread  of  intemperance. 

Mr.  Hale’s  manufactory  is  one  of  the  most  com- 
plete in  the  country.  His  buildings  have  kept  pace 
with  the  increase  of  his  business.  He  established  him- 
self in  1860  in  a small  factory  on  Hudson  and  Canal. 
He  soon  outgrew  his  humble  quarters  and  moved  to 
larger  ones.  After  three  or  four  removals,  each  de- 
manded by  the  increase  of  his  trade,  Mr.  Hale  began 
the  erection  of  his  s]3lendid  factory  on  Tenth  avenue 
and  Thirty-fifth  street.  The  building  is  brick,  eight 
stories  high,  with  a frontage  of  four  hundred  and  fifty 
feet.  The  r^oms  are  arranged  to  carry  out  Mr.  Hale’s 
system,  of  manufacture.  Each  room  is  devoted  to  a 
specific  part  of  the  piano,  and  each  workman  spends 
his  time  on  one  part  of  the  instrument,  and  does  noth- 
ing else.  In  erecting  this  model  building,  Mr.  Hale 
carried  out  his  idea  of  pay  as  you  go.  Every  story 
was  paid  for  as  it  went  up.  All  workmen  were  paid  on 
Saturday  night.  When  the  roof  was  on  and  the  fac- 
tory complete,  there  was  not  one  dollar  due  any  man 
for  labor  or  stock.  The  grounds  for  a new  and  immense 
factory  have  been  bought  on  the  river  at  One-Hundred- 
and -Forty-sixth  street.  The  new  building  will  be  eight 
hundred  feet  front,  fifty  feet  wide,  eight  stories  high, 
occuj^ying  two  blocks.  The  entire  manufactory  will  be 


376 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


under  one  roof.  All  parts  of  the  instruments  will  be 
constructed  in  the  building.  Arrangements  are  made 
for  ten  freight-cars  to  run  in  and  load  under  the  roof. 
The  present  factory  is  eight  stories  high,  to  which  an 
addition  is  being  made  of  sixty  by  one  hundred  feet. 
Mr.  Hale  has  constantly  on  hand  two  thousand  pianos 
in  process  of  completion.  A piano  is  sent  from  the 
factory  every  thirty  minutes  during  the  ten  hours  of 
daily  work. 

This  establishment  is  run  on  a perfect  system.  Mr. 
Hale  is  master  of  details,  making  an  instrument  at  the 
smallest  possible  cost.  In  the  establishment  there  is 
no  waste,  no  idleness,  no  confusion,  no  smoking,  no- 
drinking, and  no  rioting.  Every  tool  has  its  place, 
and  every  man  is  at  his  own  bench.  Mr.  Hale  is  his 
own  superintendent.  Every  improvement  has  been 
introduced  to  save  time  and  insure  economy,  by  Mr. 
Hale  himself.  One  hundred  pianos  are  worked  upon  a 
day.  Each  has  a truck,  so  that  the  workmen  can  move 
it  without  assistance.  Even  in  teaming  the  same 
economy  is  used — one  horse  is  in  the  morning  and 
another  in  the  afternoon,  so  that  no  time  is  lost  in 
feeding.  This  system  of  driving  the  work  without 
waste  runs  through  the  entire  establishment,  and  gives 
a clue  to  some  of  the  methods  by  which  an  elegant 
piano  can  be  afforded  at  so  low  a price. 

It  has  been  charged  that  Mr.  Hale  could  not  sell 
pianos  at  his  price  and  live,  unless  the  instrument  was 
an  inferior  one.  He  is  charged  with  using  green  tim- 
ber and  an  inferior  quality  of  rosewood,  with  cheap 
iron  frames,  screws,  and  wires.  The  answer  to  these 
charges  is  that  such  shams  would  not  only  be  dishon- 
est, but  foolish.  Betw^een  a ffrst-class  article  and  an  in- 
ferior one,  the  saving  would  only  be  fifteen  dollars  on 
a i:)iano.  The  profit  on  each  instrument  is  only  ten  dol- 
lars, and  the  imperfect  instrument  would  be  thrown 


JOSEPH  P.  HALE. 


377 


back  on  him  at  his  own  cost.  The  fact  stands  ont  that 
Mr.  Hale  makes  and  sells  fifty-five  hundred  pianos  a 
year.  They  go  to  all  parts  of  the  land,  with  a warran- 
tee that  the  maker  is  well  able  to  back  up.  On  these 
pianos,  eminent  houses  are  not  afraid  to  stencil  their 
own  name.  The  trade  for  sixteen  years  has  been  in- 
creasing, and  the  oldest  customers  are  still  patrons  of 
the  house.  Every  consideration  of  policy  and  integ- 
rity demands  of  Mr.  Hale  an  honest  instrument.  A 
piece  of  timber  is  not  allowed  to  be  used  till  it  is  two 
years  old.  The  stuff  must  be  clear  or  the  tone  will  be 
harmed.  The  best  material  and  the  best  workmanship 
are  secured,  both  American  and  im^Dorted.  This  guar- 
antees the  excellence  of  the  piano,  and  the  instrument 
makes  its  own  sale. 

Mr.  Hale  is  very  bold  in  defending  his  workman- 
ship. He  ordered  from  Stein  way,  Chickering,  and 
Weber,  each,  one  of  their  best  pianos.  These  have 
been  placed  in  his  wareroom,  between  his  own.  A 
piano  sold  for  six  hundred  dollars  is  put  in  contrast 
with  one  of  Hale’s,  which  is  offered  for  two  hundred 
dollars.  Customers  can  test  each,  and  test  the  relative 
merits  of  the  high  price  and  the  low. 

All  unknown  to  fame,  sixteen  years  ago,  Joseph 
P.  Hale  began  his  career  as  a piano  manufacturer  in 
New  York.  From  his  little  establishment  on  Canal 
street,  he  sent  out  a solitary  piano  destined  to  make  a 
revolution  in  the  trade.  He  has  built  up  a gigantic 
business,  holding  on  steadily  to  his  motto  of  a good 
piano  at  a low  price.  His  fame  is  as  wide  as  the  coun- 
try. His  pianos  are  sold  in  every  part  of  the  land. 
His  beneficent  labors  have  made  glad  thousands  of 
humble  homes,  and  carried  happiness  to  tens  of  thou- 
sands of  hearts.  It  was  a great  step  for  humanity 
wdien  Massachusetts  put  carpets  and  cooking-stoves 
among  the  ‘‘necessaries  of  life  ” which  the  sheriff  could 


378 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


not  touch.  Mr.  Hale  has  done  more  than  this.  He 
has  not  only  made  a fortune  out  of  his  trade,  but  he 
has  placed  the  elegance  and  charm  of  music,  hereto- 
fore a luxury,  monopolized  by  the  rich,  within  the 
reach  of  the  great  mass  of  families  in  America,  and 
put  a fine  piano  within  the  means  of  the  middle  and 
working  people  of  the  United  States. 


CXXYIII. 

EEY.  GEORGE  C.  LORIMER. 

R.  LORIMER  is  without  question  the  most 
popular  pastor  in  Boston.  He  preaches,  and 
has  for  years,  to  the  largest  regular  congre- 
gation in  Massachusetts.  The  Temple  in 
which  he  officiates  stands  in  a locality  that  has  been 
abandoned  by  a dozen  churches  once  strong  and  popu- 
lar— abandoned  because  a congregation  could  not  be 
maintained  in  that  locality.  Yet  the  Temple  is  always 
crowded — crowded  even  on  a rainy  day,  when  fashion- 
able churches  in  fashionable  localitievS  do  not  hold  a 
corporal’s  guard.  It  is  said  that  a chUrch  cannot  be 
maintained  in  Lower  Boston.  Y^et  the  Temple  has  no 
dwellings  near  it,  all  the  audience  come  from  afar,  yet 
every  Sunday  crowds  stand  in  the  aisles  and  ves- 
tibules, and  hundreds  go  away  because  standing-room 
is  denied.  It  is  said  that  people  will  not  worship 
in  a hall,  yet  the  Temple  is  a hall,  and  used  six 
nights  in  the  week  for  lectures,  concerts,  enter- 
tainments and  secular  purposes.  While  the  elegant 


' ijyA5:r 


/ 


REV.  GEORGE  C.  LORIMER. 


379 


houses  of  worship  in  the  neighborhood  are  deserted  the 
Temple  overflows.  It  is  said  that  people  will  not  go 
into  a chamber  to  hear  a sermon,  yet  all  who  hear  Dr. 
Lorimer  have  to  go  up  two  flights  of  stairs,  and  this 
does  not  deter  the  rush.  The  thinness  of  many 
churches  is  accounted  for  on  the  ground  that  they 
are  sectarian,  and  the  day  of  sectarian  worship  is  over. 
Yet  the  Temple  Church  is  one  of  the  strictest  of  Baptist 
churches,  and  the  pastor  is  an  out-and-out  denomina- 
tional man.  A free  church,  it  is  said,  cannot  be  main- 
tained, yet  the  Temple  is  free  as  the  ]3avement.  The 
revenue  is  large,  and  the  financial  condition  is  as  good 
as  any  Boston  church  that  has  not  an  endowment  for 
its  support. 

Mr.  Lorimer  was  educated  for  the  stage,  and  has 
had  some  experience  as  an  actor.  He  is  a slim,  wiry, 
frail-looking  man,  with  an  Italian  countenance.  He 
possesses  marvelous  energy,  a magnetism  scarcely 
paralleled,  and  a delivery  heated  and  impassioned,  into 
which  his  stage  education  comes  into  full  play.  His 
sermons  are  very  far  above  the  ordinary  level  of 
preaching,  and  these  he  writes  with  care.  He  leaves 
his  manuscript  at  home,  and  delivers  his  sermon  with- 
out a scrap  of  writing  before  him.  His  congregations 
are  huge,  his  Sunday-school  is  of  mammoth  propor- 
tions, and  his  Sunday  night  prayer-meetings  have  not 
an  equal  in  New  England.  His  temper  is  gentle,  his 
manner  modest,  and  he  is  popular  among  the  clergy  of 
the  city,  and  especially  so  among  the  brethren  of  his 
own  denomination. 

Mr.  Lorimer  came  from  Edinburgh  v/hen  he  was 
nineteen  years  of  age.  He  had  a good  education  and 
selected  the  stage  as  a profession.  He  accidentally,  or 
pi'ovidentially,  entered  the  Walnut  Street  Baptist 
Church  at  Louisville,  Ky.  A revival  was  in  progress, 
and  the  attention  of  the  actor  was  at  once  arrested. 


380 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


He  committed  himself  to  religion,  was  baptized, 
and  found  himself  a stranger  in  a strange  city  with- 
out profession  or  income.  He  secured  admission  at 
the  Georgetown  college,  and  was  soon  drawn  into  the 
work  of  the  Christian  ministry.  He  preached  in 
Frankfort,  and  was  settled  in  Paducah,  where  his 
labors  were  crowned  with  marked  success.  The  civil 
war  broke  out,  and  Mr.  Lorimer’s  pastorate  was  ter- 
minated by  the  civil  strife.  Paducah  was  an  important 
military  post,  and  the  people  were  divided  on  the  great 
questions  of  the  war.  An  important  church-  at  Louis- 
ville was  vacant,  and  Mr.  Lorimer  was  invited  to 
occupy  it  for  three  months.  During  his  occupancy  of 
the  pulpit  he  won  all  hearts,  and  an  enthusiastic  call 
was  tendered  him.  He  removed  to  Albany.  He  was 
invited  to  the  important  and  responsible  post  of  the 
pastor  of  the  Shawmut  Avenue,  Boston,  one  of  the 
most  elegant  locations  of  the  favored  city.  The  im-' 
portance  of  the  Temple  work  was  acknowledged  every 
where.  The  church  was  embarrassed,  and  a man  of 
peculiar  gifts  was  demanded  to  lift  the  Temple  congre- 
gation out  of  its  difficulties.  The  fitness  of  Dr. 
Lorimer  for  the  post  was  universally  conceded. 
Would  he  leave  his  elegant  retreat  for  the  bustle  of 
the  Temple  platform?  Would  he  tear,  himself  from 
an  affectionate,  considerate  and  liberal  people,  and  lay 
himself  on  the  altar  of  public  duty.  Public  considera- 
tions overruled  private  preferences.  He  at  once  en- 
tered on  his  new  field,  and  the  marvelous  success 
which  crowned  his  first  work  has  crowned  all  his 
labors.  He  is  in  the  height  of  his  fame  and  prime  of 
his  life.  There  is  no  reason  why  a brighter  future  may 
not  attend  his  industry  and  talent. 

The  elements  of  Mr,  Lorimer’s  success  can  be  stated 
in  a few  words.  He  has  rare  and  peculiar  popular 
gifts  as  a preacher.  His  manners  are  impressive  and 


REV.  GEORGE  G.  LORIMER. 


381 


suited  to  the  popular  idea  of  a minister.  He  has  ex- 
ecutive ability  in  a marked  degree.  He  governs  his 
church  by  not  seeming  to  govern  it  at  all.  His  in- 
dustry is  marvelous,  and  his  zeal  untiring.  He  does 
not  rely  on  his  ability  to  talk,  nor  on  his  popular  gifts. 
He  is  one  of  the  hardest  students  in  Boston,  and 
studies  carefully  every  sermon  he  preaches.  He  is 
manly,  liberal,  and  devoted  to  his  work.  He  is  sound 
and  evangelical,  and  has  ah  unblenching  faith  in  the 
truth  and  power  of  the  gospel.  A perpetual  revival 
attends  his  ministry. 

The  personal  of  Hr.  Lorimer’s  life  throws  light  on 
his  character.  One  Sabbath  morning  in  1867,  he  held 
service  in  the  Walnut  Street  Church,  Louisville.  The 
house  was  crowded.  The  hand  of  fellowship  was  given 
to  one  hundred  persons,  and  a distinct  verse  of  Scrip- 
ture was  given  to  each  candidate,  without  the  pastor 
once  repeating  himself.  In  the  midst  of  the  sermon  a 
man  arose  in  the  back  of  the  congregation,  and  fired  a 
pistol  in  the  direction  of  the  pulpit.  ' The  bullet  struck 
near  Mr.  Lorimer’s  foot.  The  pastor  was  self-com- 
posed. He  ordered  the  minister  who  was  with  him  on 
the  platform,  to  retire.  He  ordered  the  congregation 
to  lower  themselves  in  the  pews,  to  be  out  of  harm’s 
way.  While  he  stood  exposed,  a bullet  whistled  over 
his  head,  and  another  by  his  ear  ; he  never  budged, 
but  called  out  for  some  one  to  secure  the  ruffian.  This 
was  done  after  a struggle,  and  a brief  prayer  relieved 
the  excited  congregation.  The  man  was  a monomaniac, 
and  was  trying  to  kill  a cousin  he  had  seen  enter  the 
church.  He  testified  before  the  magistrate  that  he 
would  not  have  fired  at  brother  Lorimer  if  he  had  been 
minding  his  own  business  ; that  is,  had  he  been  preach- 
ing himself,  instead  of  having  a brother  preach  for  him. 

During  a season  of  revival  meetings,  held  at 
Paducah,  Dr.  Lorimer  preached  an  exhortatory  ser- 


882  SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 

inon.  At  the  close,  he  gave  an  invitation  to  sinners  to 
come  to  the  front  seats.  The  surprise  of  the  preacher 
was  great  when  three  or  four  couples  came  down  the 
center  aisle.  The  preacher  rejoiced  at  the  pungency 
of  his  sermon.  The  deacons  fairly  moaned  out  their 
interest.  In  answer  to  the  question  whether  they  came 
seeking  Jesus,  the  the  leading  gentleman  replied,  ‘‘  ]N"o, 
sir;  we  have  come  to  get  married.”  The  audience 
fairly  shouted,  and  the  hilarity  was  tuned  down  by  a 
suitable  prayer  by  one  of  the  deacons. 

Officiating  at  a wedding,  the  pastor  detected  in  the 
breath  of  the  groom  the  love  of  liquor-.  Into  the 
ordinary  ceremony  the  preacher  interjected  the  words, 
“You  solemnly  promise  and  swear  that  you  will  never 
taste  or  touch  any  intoxicating  liquors  as  a beverage, 
so  help  you  God,”  thus  making  the  bride  and  groom 
take  the  pledge  at  the  same  time. 

Dr.  Lorimer  never  failed  in  revival  services.  From 
his  ordination  at  Harodsburg  in  Kentucky,  in  1859,  to 
the  present  hour,  he  has  been  engaged  in  this  work.  In 
his  earlier  ministrj^  he  was  famous  for  preaching  in  the 
sparse  settlements  and  in  the  open  air.  In  Bardstown, 
the  center  of  Catholic  intluence,  he  held  some  remarkable 
meetings  which  resulted  in  great  gains  to  Protestantism. 

Dr.  Lorimer  is  very  popular  with  the  churches,  and 
has  been  called  to  prominent  positions  in  all  parts  of 
the  land.  He  has  been  called  several  times  to  New 
York  City,  but  never  saw  the  Lord’s  hand  clear 
enough  to  accept.  He  works  by  system,  divides  the 
day  and  gives  to  each  hour  its  duties.  He  works 
usually  until  twelve  o’clock  at  night.  Writes  his 
sermons  in  full,  does  not  memorize  or  read.  He  selects 
deacons  he  can  trust,  and  never  interferes  with  their 
duties.  He  knows  all  his  members,  does  much  pastoral 
work,  and  never  forgets  anyone.  The  poor  of  the 
church  share  his  special  attention. 


ALPHEV8  HARDY. 


383 


CXXIX. 

ALPHEUS  HARDY. 

R.  HARDY’S  fame  will  rest  on  the  ability 
with  which  he  has  managed  the  Sears  estate. 
Joshua  Sears  was  a grocer  and  trader  on 
Long  Wharf,  Boston.  He  amassed  a for- 
tune, and  left  it  in  trust  for  his  son,  an  infant  six 
months  old.  The  property  was  estimated  at  the  sum 
of  seventeen  hundred  thousand  dollars.  Mr.  Hardy 
was  the  principal  trustee,  though  two  others  were  asso- 
ciated with  him  in  the  care  of  the  property.  He 
invested  the  funds  with  great  skill*,  buying  the  most 
valuable  estates  in  the  heart  of  Boston,  buying  prop- 
erty for  one  dollar  a foot,  that  afterward  rose  to  the 
value  of  eleven  dollars  a foot.  Before  the  great  tire, 
the  Sears  estate  was  reputed  to  be  worth  eleven  mil- 
lions. Mr.  Hardy  was  born  in  one  of  the  thriving  fish- 
ing towns  on  the  cape,  and  was  early  put  to  work  to 
take  care  of  himself.  He  was  educated  for  the  minis- 
try, and  entered  Andover  Theological  Seminary.  His 
health  failed  him,  and  he  took  to  trade.  He  was  well 
educated  in  business,  and  located  himself  as  a com- 
mission merchant  in  South  Market  street.  He  was 
smart,  capable,  industrious,  and  honest.  He  made 
some  money,  married  some  money,  inherited  some 
money,  and  was  tolerably  well  off,  and  won  the  confi- 
dence of  the  business  community.  Mr.  Sears  was  a 
near  neighbor,  and  observed  the  talents  and  character 
of  his  townsmen,  and  he  felt  that  his  fortune  would  be 
safe  in  Mr.  Hardy’s  hands.  Hardy  was  identified  with 
the  Congregational  Church.  He  was  an  early  and 
^5l}eadfast  friend  of  Rev.  Wm.  M.  Rogers,  one  of  the 


384 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


most  amiable  and  popular  preachers  of  Boston.  Such 
was  the  confidence  reposed  in  Mr.  Hardy’s  religious 
character,  that  he  became  one  of  the  commissioners  of 
the  American  Board. 

Mr.  Hardy’s  position  as  trustee  of  the  Sears  estate 
was  one  of  great  pecuniary  value.  His  salary  of 
twenty -five,  thousand  dollars  a year,  enjoyed  for 
twenty-one  years,  with  his  commissions  from  the  estate, 
made  a royal  revenue  that  few  merchants  in  Boston 
ever  enjoyed.  Had  he  possessed  less  ability,  he  would 
never  have  been  elevated  to  this  responsible  trust. 
Had  he  less  character,  no  matter  how  able  he  was,  he 
would  have  been  passed  by  like  thousands  of  others. 
The  estate  has  involved  great  responsibilities,  which 
have  been  well  met.  When  the  Morning  Star”  was 
launched,  Mr.  Hardy  asked  a friend  to  take  charge  of 
young  Sears,  while  he  attended  the  send-off.  On  his 
return,  his  friend  said : ‘ ‘ Mr.  Hardy,  I am  glad  you 
have  come  back.  I never  had  an  eight-million  boy 
under  my  care  before,  and  I never  want  one  again.” 


cxxx. 

FREDERICK  TUDOR. 

HAT  beautiful  peninsula,  Xahant,  the  abode  of 
the  Boston  aristocracy,  is  one  of  the  most  at- 
tractive spots  in  New  England.  Mr.  Tudor 
was  one  of  the  earliest  to  discover  its  attrac- 
tiveness, and  has  left  the  mark  of  his  genius  upon  the 
place.  His  great  sea-wall,  his  caverns,  his  dens  of  lions. 


FREDEniCK  TUDOR. 


185 


his  attractive  stone  cottage  and  peculiar  walls  remain 
to  attest  his  genius  and  public  spirit.  His  peculiar 
garden  walls  with  their  perforated  tops  taught  the  i^eo- 
ple  how  to  defy  the  rugged  climate  and  tierce  winds 
and  raise  choice  fruits  in  spite  of  the  climes.  Mr. 
Tudor  was  a genius  and  above  his  age.  As  a merchant 
he  was  in  advance  of  the  slow  conservative  methods  of 
business,  no  rules  could  confine  him,  and  as  a trader  in 
coffee  and  sugars  he  attempted  to  control  the  market. 
He  overshot  the  mark  and  failed.  He  made  a frank 
statement  of  his  affairs  to  his  creditors,  and  told  them 
if  they  would  let  him  alone  he  would  bring  them  out 
all  right,  and  pay  them  dollar  for  dollar.  He  said  he 
would  want  fifteen  thousand  dollars  a year  to  live  on, 
that  he  must  have.  His  creditors  were  sensible  enough 
to  comply  with  his  wishes,  and  he  made  good  all  his 
promises.  He  was  a genius  in  his  way,  and  proj^osed 
to  cover  Nahant  with  shade  trees.  He  planted  the 
buttonwood  for  rapid  growth,  and  placed  an  elm  be- 
tween. The  buttonwoods  have  perished,  but  the  elms 
now  fiourish  in  beauty. 

In  a small  way  he  began  the  ice  trade  with  tropical 
climes,  made  a success  of  the  business,  sent  ice  around 
the  globe,  and  left  a valuable  trade  to  his  heirs.  His 
marriage  was  a romantic  one,  and  his  memory  is  kept 
green  by  his  genius  and  enterprise,  of  which  Nahant 
itself  is  his  own  best  monument. 

25 


386 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


CXXXI. 


SIMMONS,  OF  OAK  HALL. 


AK  HALL,”  Boston,  is  as  well  known  as  the 
State  House.  It  is  not  much  to  look  at. 
The  building  is  low,  two  stories  in  height, 
and  wears  the  air  of  dilapidation.  The 
locality  has  been  abandoned  by  the  principal  business 
men,  who  have  gone  up-town.  Mr.  Simmons  does  not 
follow  the  drift  of  trade,  nor  spend  his  capital  in  ex- 
pensive warehouses.  He  does  an  immense  trade,  and 
shows  conclusively  that  it  is  not  the  location,  but  the 
man,  that  commands  success.  His  father  lived  in  the 
building  known  as  “Oak  Hall,”  and  the  present  pro- 
prietor was  born  in  his  own  counting-room.  He  is  a 
Napoleon  in  the  clothing  business.  He  can  furnish  an 
outfit  for  one  thousand  troops  as  easily  as  he  can  fit  a 
suit  of  clothes  on  a farmer’s  lad. 

Mr.  Simmons  made  early  inroads  on  the  old  style  of 
doing  business.  His  uncle,  who  made  a fortune  in 
trade,  started  George  in  business,  but  his  success  is  his 
own.  The  merchants  of  Boston  were  old-fashioned  and 
old-fogy  in  their  style  of  doing  business.  They  sat  in 
their  stores  and  waited  for  customers  to  call.  If  a man 
wanted  anything,  he  asked  for  it.  Mr.  Simmons  re- 
solved to  make  Boston  acquainted  with  the  goods  he 
had  to  sell,  and  solicit  custom.  His  announcements 
and  advertisements  were  remarkable.  He  astounded 
Boston  with  the  vigorous  style  he  prosecuted  his  busi- 
ness. Boston  was  not  pleased  with  the  new  departure. 
The, departure  from  the  old-time  custom  was  deemed 
an  outrage.  An  attempt  was  made  to  put  a stoj)  to  the 
audacious  trader.  The  matter  was  grave  enough  for  a 


SIMMONS,  OF  OAK  HALL. 


387 


noon -day  meeting  in  Faneiiil  Hall.  It  was  an  indigna- 
tion meeting  of  Boston  merchants  publicly  called  to 
denounce  Mr.  Simmons’  manner  of  trade.  Mr.  Palmer, 
a well-known  merchant  and  member  of  Park  Street 
Church,  was  called  to  the  chair.  The  meeting  was  as 
successful  as  an  attempt  to  stop  the  flow  of  Niagara 
Falls.  The  efforts  of  his  opponents  were  futile — the 
new  system  triumphed.  Under  his  enterprising  meth- 
ods, Mr.  Simmons  has  secured  a fame  as  wide  as  the 
business  world,  and  become  a millionaire  in  his  own 
right. 

Mr.  Simmons’  efforts  to  save  the  ‘‘Old  South”  from 
demolition  have  given  him  a national  repute.  The  Old 
South  Society  is  one  of  the  wealthiest  parishes  in  the 
nation.  Its  great  wealth  came  from  a plot  of  ground 
donated  by  Mrs.  Norton,  the  wife  of  one  of  the  pastors. 
The  parish  moved  up-town,  built  an  extravagant  house 
of  worship,  and  put  the  old  church  on  the  market.  It 
was  sold  with  a peremptory  clause  that  it  should  be 
taken  down  within  a given  time.  Mr.  Simmons  stepped 
in  and  arrested  the  vandalism.  But  for  him  the  great 
revolutionary  relic  of  the  age  would  have  been  torn 
down  and  the  material  scattered  to  the  four  winds  of 
Heaven.  He  put  himself  under  heavy  pecuniary  obli- 
gations, arrested  the  destruction  of  the  building,  and 
put  it  in  such  a position  that  it  could  be  purchased 
and  devoted  to  history,  art,  and  science  for  all  coming 
time. 


388 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


CXXXII. 

KEY.  E.  L.  MAGOOK 

R.  MAGOOX  is  the  sesthetic  preacher  of  the 
age.  His  love  of  art,  of  music,  and  of  pic- 
tures, is  all-absorbing.  His  taste  and  high 
culture  do  not  help  him  as  a Baptist  min- 
ister. Had  he  entered  the  Catholic  Church  or  adopted 
the  ritualistic  ideas  he  would  have  stood  foremost 
among  the  artistic  preachers  of  the  age.  The  Baptists 
are  the  plainest  people  among  the  large  brotherhood 
of  Christians.  They  look  upon  the  enthusiasm  with 
which  Dr.  Magoon  revels  among  the  line  arts,  as  the 
old  Puritans  would  have  looked  upon  a brother  who 
should  have  built  a cruciform  church,  embossed  a cross 
on  the  pulpit  panel,  or  tucked  a lot  of  bodiless  angels 
on  the  church  ceiling.  The  love  of  the  beautiful  that 
has  led  Dr.  Magoon  to  fill  his  residence  with  paintings 
from  basement  to  attic,  is  a cultivated  one. 

He  was  born  among  the  hills  of  New  Hampshire, 
among  poverty  and  grinding  toil.  He  had  little  edu- 
cation, and  at  sixteen  left  his  home  to  secure  a situa- 
tion and  earn  a living.  His  caihtal  was  two  dollars 
and  sixty-six  cents.  A tramp  to  Vermont  reduced  his 
money  to  six  coppers.  The  state  of  his  finances  led 
him  to  halt  and  look  around  for  work.  He  saw  a 
farmer  laying  the  foundation  of  a new  house,  and  at 
once  took  hold  and  laid  his  first  brick.  He  did  his 
work  so  well  that  he  found  steady  employment  for 
four  years.  His  pay  was  small,  and  it  took  all  his 
time  to  keep  a roof  over  his  head,  and  furnish  him 
him  with  food  and  clothing.  He  had  an  intense  long- 
ing for  an  education,  but  he  labored  on  in  his  ignorance 


REV.  E.  L.  MAG  0 ON. 


389 


and  in  poverty.  He  removed  to  Lowell,  and  resumed 
his  old  work  of  laying  brick.  He  had  a great  hatred 
for  ministers  of  religion.  He  looked  upon  each  one  as 
a personal  enemy.  He  regarded  them  as  a class  who 
prey  on  the  community,  living  comfortably  and  giving 
nothing  in  return.  He  knew  several  of  the  Lowell 
clergymen  by  sight.  One  day  Magoon  was  at  work 
laying  brick,  with  his  hodman  at  his  side.  He  saw  a 
Baptist  clergyman  ai^proaching.  He  stopped  to  look 
at  him,  as  a matter  of  curiosity.  To  the  astonishment 
of  the  young  man,  the  clergyman  stopped,  spoke  a few 
kind  words,  and  gave  the  young  man  a personal  invi- 
tation to  his  church.  The  next  Sunday  he  was  in  the 
congregation.  He  was  converted,  and  resolved  to 
study  for  the  ministry.  The  Northern  Baptist  Edu- 
cational Society  helped  him  in  his  preliminary  studies. 
Three  years  were  devoted  to  preparation,  during  which 
time  the  trowel  was  kept  in  active  use.  He  entered 
Waterville  College  as  a beneficiary  of  the  society.  He 
found  that  he  could  earn  a good  support  by  spreading 
plaster  and  laying  bricks.  He  ordered  the  society  to 
strike  his  name  off  their  rolls,  and  aid  some  young  man 
who  had  no  trade.  After  his  graduation  he  labored 
three  months  with  his  trowel,  and  then  entered  Newton 
Theological  School.  Dr.  Magoon,  since  his  ordination, 
has  been  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  his  denom- 
ination. 


390 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


CXXXIII. 

EDWARD  A.  SOTHERN. 

OTHERN  the  actor  is  a creature  of  accident, 
or  as  his  friends  put  it,  of  a mistake.  To 
this  fact  he  owes  his  fame  and  his  fortune. 
He  played  at  Barnum’s  in  1853.  He  was  an 
Englishman,  but  had  never  played  in  his  own  country. 
He  went  to  W allack’ s and  played  small  parts.  He  was 
a light  comedian  with  very  little  promise  of  being 
famous.  Matilda  Heron  opened  her  theater  with 
“Camille.”  By  an  accident  the  part  of  Duval  was 
given  to  Sothern.  He  made  quite  a hit  in  the  charac- 
ter of  Amand.  He  showed  little  ability,  and  gave  no 
promise  of  parts. 

Laura  Keene’ s theater  was  bankrupt.  It  owed  fifty 
thousand  dollars.  It  did  not  pay  anything — neither 
rent,  gas  bills,  nor  salaries.  To  keep  along,  the  com- 
monwealth plan  was  adopted.  The  running  expenses 
were  paid.  Out  of  what  was  left  the  company  were  to 
be  paid  pro  rata.  Heller  came  to  the  theater  with  a 
play  written  by  Tom  Taylor,  a mere  hodge-podge,  with 
a sixteen-line  part  for  Dundreary.  This  play  had  been 
sold  to  Silsby,  a Yankee  comedian,  for  the  sum  of  twen- 
ty-five pounds,  with  the  name  of  “ The  American  Cou- 
sin.” The  company  were  desperate  and  took  the  play 
on  a venture.  It  was  agreed  to  pay  five  hundred  dol- 
lars for  the  use  of  the  play  the  first  week.  If  the  suc- 
cess warranted  the  going  on  another  week,  five  hun- 
dred dollars  more  were  to  be  paid,  and  then  the  play  was 
to  belong  to  the  company.  The  actors  rebelled — the 
thing  was  too  ridiculous  to  stand,  and  the  piece  would 
be  damned  at  the  start.  Sothern  was  essentially  mad. 


EDWAMD  A.  SOTHERN. 


391 


The  part  of  Dundreary,  assigned  to  him,  was  a trilling 
one  and  too  ridiculous  to  claim  a moment’s  attention. 
He  flung  it  from  him  in  disgust  and  refused  to  act. 
One  of  the  company,  an  especial  friend  of  Sothern’ s, 
said  to  him:  “Come,  Ned,  don’t  go  back  on  us.  It 
can’t  be  any  worse  if  the  whole  thing  fails,  and  some- 
thing may  come  of  it.” 

Sothern  consented  to  act.  He  resolved  to  make 
the  part  as  ridiculous  and  nonsensical  as  possible,  and 
throw  the  whole  thing  into  a broad  burlesque.  A piece 
had  been  acted  on  Wallack’s  boards  in  which  there  was 
a character  known  as  Lord  Peppery’s  son.  He  was 
distinguished  for  his  loud  attire,  his  swallow-tailed 
coat,  and  a make-up  that  was  extravagant.  Sothern 
borrowed  the  swallow- tailed  coat  and  flxings,  adopted 
a stammer,  put  on  a lisp,  assumed  a wig  with  his  hair 
parted  in  the  middle,  and  appeared  a London  swell,  as 
ridiculous  as  one  could  be  made  up.  On  coming  on 
the  stage  he  tripped.  The  audience  laughed,  but 
whether  they  were  laughing  at  him,  or  his  ridiculous 
array,  he  could  not  tell.  He  went  on  with  the  play, 
and  the  part  proved  a great  hit,  and  a great  success. 
The  audience  laughed  with  him,  and  he  held  the 
people  in  his  hands.  The  house  was  a small  one, — 
about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars.  Before 
the  week  ended  crowds  were  turned  away  from  the 
door  at  night.  On  the  second  week  the  commonwealth 
system  was  abolished,  and  before  the  third  week  the 
debt  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  was  wiped  out.  Before 
the  season  ended  the  company  had  earned  fifty  thou- 
sand additional.  Sothern,  by  an  accidental  cast  in  a 
low  burlesque  of  an  English  swell,  found  himself 
famous,  and  on  the  road  to  fortune.  He  went  starring 
it  through  the  country,  and  was  everywhere  greeted 
by  crowds. 

In  the  midst  of  this  success  Sothern  received  a pro- 


392 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


posal  from  Buxton,  the  manager  of  Hay  market  Square 
Theater,  London,  to  produce  the  play  in  that  theater. 
He  hesitated  about  an  acceptance.  He  was  fearful 
that  the  London  public  would  not  accept  a stinging 
burlesque  of  an  English  fop.  He  weighed  the  matter 
and  concluded  to  go  to  London  and  produce  his 
burlesque  on  a British  swell.  Before  the  play  was 
produced,  the  manager  became  shaky.  He  was  told 
that  the  British  public  would  hiss  the  actor  olf  the 
stage.  Buxton  tried  to  break  the  contract,  and  then 
to  induce  Sothern  to  change  the  play.  He  was  plucky, 
he  came  three  thousand  miles  to  make  the  experiment, 
and  he  would  make  it  anyway.  No  such  hit  was  ever 
known.  The  pla}^  was  produced  one  thousand  nights, 
and  never  failed  to  attract  an  enthusiastic  crowd. 
Every  year  Mr.  Sothern  visits  London  to  produce 
Lord  Dundreary.  He  is  soon  to  return  to  Europe  on 
his  annual  visit.  He  proposed  to  go  round  the  globe 
and  produce  his  part  in  every  land  wlien  the  English 
tongue  is  stjoken.  Sothern  is  a rich  man.  He  dictates 
his  own  terms.  He  has  half  the  house,  or  live  hundred 
dollars  a night,  and  his  steady  income  from  his  part  is 
twenty-five  hundred  dollars  a week.  He  is  lifty-two 
years  old,  and  never  acted  in  England  till  he  was 
famous  in  America. 


WILLIAM  J.  FLORENCE. 


393 


CXXXIY. 

WILLIAM  J.  FLORENCE. 


LORENCE  bounded  from  a small  actor  into  a 
star.  Few  can  remember  when  he  had  not 
the  same  i^osition  he  has  now.  Barney 
Williams  was  his  brother-in-law,  and  he 
obtained  great  assistance  from  that  distinguished 
comedian.  The  Irish  Boy  and  Yankee  Girl,  played  by 
Barney  and  his  wife,  introduced  a new  style  of  play 
that  was  very  attractive.  Florence  married  a dancing 
girl,  Miss  Malvena,  who  was  very  handsome  and  very 
attractive.  Florence  got  hold  of  some  of  Barney 
Williams’  parts,  and  resolved  to  adopt  the  same  line, 
and  the  couple  started  out  to  star  the  country  and  to 
take  the  provincial  towns  by  storm.  Florence  had  a 
queer  brogue,  but  it  was  a fortune  to  him.  He  had  a 
genial  way.  His  wife  was  pretcy,  was  a superb  dancer 
and  a singer  of  much  merit.  By  dint  of  advertisement 
and  much  posting,  making  friends  outside  the  theater, 
visiting  saloons  and  bar-rooms,  he  became  a star  at 
once  and  a star  of  much  attraction.  He  was  a hard 
student,  an  indomitable  worker,  improved  every 
moment  of  his  time,  became  a charming  actor  for  the 
country  and  realized  a fortune  of  not  less  than  one 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  by  his  acting. 

He  possessed  a remarkable  memory,  as  a single 
illustration  will  show.  He  made  an  annual  trip  to 
Europe,  and  as  he  never  stinted  himself  in  the  use  of 
the  press,  his  coming  and  going  was  carefully  heralded. 
He  saw  Robinson’s  play  of  “Caste”  and  thought  it 
would  make  good  capital  for  him  in  America.  He 

night  and  made  himself 


attended  the  play  night  after 


394 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


familiar  with  its  details.  He  secured  a copy  and 
brought  it  to  America.  The  play  had  been  sold  to 
Wallack’s,  and  was  to  be  produced  at  that  theater. 
Florence  cared  little  for  this  and  went  on  his  way. 
Wallack  obtained  an  injunction.  Florence  claimed 
that  Wallack  had  no  claim  to  the  play,  either  b 7 the  law 
of  copyright  or  by  the  right  of  authorship.  He  denied 
that  he  used  any  copy  of  the  author,  but  produced  the 
play  wholly  from  memory  after  reaching  America.  He 
swore  to  this,  and  actors  pronounce  this  the  most 
marvelous  example  of  memory  ever  known  on  the 
stage. 


CXXXY. 

LOTT A. 

OTTA  is  a good  illustration  of  a heroic  woman 
who  achieved  fame  and  fortune  against  the 
most  disheartening  odds.  She  was  born  of 
an  English  peasantry,  probably  in  Aus- 
tralia, from  whence  she  drifted  to  California.  She  had 
little  education,  and  seemed  doomed  to  a life  of  penury 
and  toil.  Her  inheritance  to  which  she  was  born,  was 
great  beauty,  a pretty,  sunny  face,  great  animal  spirits, 
and  a voice  for  song.  She  began  her  life  as  a sort  of 
tramp,  in  the  mining  regions.  Here  her  lithe  and  agile 
figure  charmed  in  the  dance  ; her  cheery  smile  and  song 
attracted  attention.  She  danced  on  the  boards  in  front 
of  the  miner’s  hut,  and  accompanied  the  childish  song 
with  the  delicate  touch  of  the  banjo.  She  played  small 
parts  in  the  rude  theaters  of  the  region.  The  name  of 


LOTT  A. 


395 


Lotta  Crabtree  was  popular  among  tlie  rude  tents  of 
earlier  Californians.  She  earned  money  enough  to 
help  her  parents,  and  to  pay  her  passage  to  New  York. 
She  came  across  the  Isthmus  because  it  was  cheap. 

Once  in  New  York,  her  sunny  face,  the  excellence 
of  her  disposition,  and  her  unblemished  morals,  raised 
her  up  many  friends.  She  played  in  little  farces  at  odd 
times,  was  excellent  at  personation,  and  was  a little 
witch  as  a negro  girl.  Mr. , the  celebrated  dra- 

matic writer,  wrote  a play  expressly  for  Lotta.  She 
was  bewitching  in  it,  with  her  pretty  saucy  face,  and 
her  weird-like  motions,  and  curly  hair.  She  had  good 
strong  common  sense,  and  that  English  faith  in  good- 
ness, that  stood  her  in  good  stead.  In  the  country  and 
provincial  towns  she  was  popular  from  the  start,  and 
starred  it  with  success.  An  actress  she  never  was  in 
any  sense,  but  she  was  popular  everywhere,  and  retains 
her  popularity  to  this  hour.  She  had  something  better 
than  mere  talent.  She  was  like  the  man  who  travels 
with  the  coin  of  realm  in  his  pocket,  who  is  better  than 
his  rich  neighbor,  who  has  his  wealth  in  nuggets,  never 
has  change,  and  can  buy  nothing. 

To  overcome  the  disadvantages  of  her  small  educa- 
tion, she  has  been  compelled  to  study  hard,  and  her 
health  has  often  been  impaired  by  overwork.  To  her 
mother,  who  has  been  her  constant  attendant,  Lotta 
owes  much.  She  has  not  only  been  the  constant  attend- 
ant and  friend  of  the  young  artist,  but  has  proved  her- 
self a business  woman  of  great  capacity.  Her  father, 
who  did  not  amount  to  much,  was  pensioned  otf  in 
England,  where  he  lives  in  comfort,  while  the  mother 
and  daughter  go  along  their  swinging  way  to  fortune. 
Lotta  has  proved  herself  an  excellent  girl,  possessed  of 
a fine  character  and  good  principles. 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


CXXXVL 


OLE  BULL,  VIOLINIST. 


^fLE  BULL  was  born  in  Bergen,  Norway,  in 
1810.  His  family  were  amateurs,  and  he  was 
surrounded  by  music  from  his  infancy.  His 
uncle  pronounced  music  the  divinest  of  arts. 
He  had  a large  collection  of  rare  instruments.  Musical 
clubs  often  met  at  his  house.  The  boy.  Ole,  showed  a 
great  passion  for  music  at  an  early  age.  His  uncle 
often  shut  him  up  in  a violincello-case  while  he  was 
playing.  Nothing  could  restrain  the  enthusiastic  lad, 
and  music  nearly  crazed  him.  AVhile  his  uncle  played, 
the  boy  beat  time  with  his  feet,  and  seizing  the  yard- 
stick would  imitate  the  playing.  His  father — after 
the  fashion  of  fathers — was  not  pleased  with  the  bent 
of  the  boy.  He  did  everything  in  his  power  to  repress 
this  passion  for  music.  His  uncle  was  more  consider- 
ate. He  gave  the  boy,  when  he  was  five  years  old,  a 
cheap  violin  with  a cover  as  yellow  as  saffron.  With- 
out an  instructor  he  mastered  the  instrument,  and  was 
by  everyone  considered  a prodigy.  At  seven  years  old 
he  began  his  artistic  career,  and  played  at  a concert  at 
Bergen.  Near  by  his  home  on  the  island  of  Valestrand, 
a cave  is  still  pointed  out  as  the  place  where  young  Ole 
perfected  himself  on  the  violin.  He  passed  nights  and 
days  in  his  practice.  The  weird  sounds  that  came 
from  the  cave  filled  the  rustics  with  asi/Onishment  and 
alarm.  They  thought  the  fairies  were  holding  carnival. 
In  that  solitary  dwelling-place  he  secured  that  wonder- 
ful mastery  over  the  violin  which  has  marked  all  his 
public  career.  He  had  undoubted  talent,  but  it  was 
his  enthusiasm,  magnetism  and  industry  that  bore 


OLE  BULL,  VIOLINIST. 


397 


away  all  barriers  before  Mm.  When  he  reached  the 
age  of  ten,  an  attempt  was  made  to  make  him  play  by 
rule.  The  lessons  agonized  his  spirit,  and  his  suffer- 
ings found  vent  in  cries  and  screams.  His  genius 
would  not  go  in  harness  and  he  had  to  bring  out  his 
music  as  God  had  appointed  unto  him.  He  felt  what 
Haydn  had  expressed  long  before.  The  critic  said  to 
the  great  composer:  “You  can’t  be  right,  for  your 
music  is  contrary  to  rule.”  “I  care  nothing  about 
rule,”  he  said,  “I adopt  what  is  most  agreeable.”  His 
precocity  and  genius  were  everywhere  recognized. 
With  no  friend  but  his  violin,  at  twenty,  he  started  for 
Paris.  He  desired  to  hear  the  great  artists  of  the 
world  -and  to  perfect  himself  in  playing.  He  formed 
alliances  that  tinged  and  affected  his  whole  life.  The 
gay  capital  recognized  his  genius,  and  he  produced, 
through  the  French  empire,  a furore  that  had  never 
been  equalled.  The  old  world  was  too  narrow  for  his 
spirit,  which  claimed  sympathy  with  the  universe. 

Ole  Bull  was  educated  for  the  ministry.  Afterward 
he  studied  for  the  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 
Ho  study  and  no  discipline  could  repress  his  love  for 
the  violin.  The  ministry  in  him  and  his  inspiration 
carried  him  on  to  his  destination.  In  Italy  his  star 
rose  resplendent.  Like  so  many  men  of  genius,  an  ac- 
cident brought  him  to  the  front.  He  was  at  Bologna 
under  depressing  circumstances,  trying  to  compose  a 
piece  of  music.  Mme.  Hossini  by  chance  passed  his 
apartment.  Her  attention  was  arrested  by  the  ravish- 
ing music  she  heard.  The  Philharmonic  Society  was 
in  distress  owing  to  the  failure  of  distinguished  artists. 
The  directors  were  informed  that  a great  treasure  was 
within  reach.  Ole  Bull  was  sent  for,  received  with 
eclat,  and  entered  upon  a career  of  success  that  fol- 
lowed him  around  the  globe.  The  sympathy  that 
exists  between  Ole  Bull  and  his  violin  bewitches  an 


398 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


audience.  He  talks  to  Ms  instrument,  pets  it,  caresses 
it,  and  breathes  his  soul  into  it.  The  violin  responds 
to  this  caress,  and  with  it  the  great  artist  sways  the 
multitude  as  forests  are  swayed  by  the  tempest.  He 
plays  into  it  as  if  he  was  indifferent  to  all  other  praise  ; 
toys  with  it,  lays  his  head  upon  it,  and  holds  it  as  if 
he  was  afraid  it  would  escape  him.  There  is  a sort  of 
idolatry  that  Ole  Bull  exhibits  towards  the  violin. 
Whatever  he  wills  it,  that  it  becomes,  and  enthusiasm 
is  irresistible. 

The  great  artist  possesses  extraordinary  physical 
strength,  and  this  aids  him  in  excelling  all  others  in 
his  playing.  He  can  play  three  or  four  parts  without 
the  least  scratch  or  the  production  of  a disagreeable 
sound.  His  muscular  power  enables  him  to  press  the 
bow  on  all  four  strings  at  the  same  time.  He  has  an 
ethereal  look  when  playing,  pure  and  vigorous,  and 
his  soul,  intensely  inspired,  looks  earnestly  out  from 
his  speaking  eyes. 

Ole  Bull  is  liberal,  large-hearted  and  unselfish.  He 
has  been  wronged  and  robbed  on  all  hands.  He  shared 
his  room  and  his  gains  at  Paris  with  a poor  artist.  The 
ingrate  robbed  him  and  even  carried  off  his  violin.  Ole 
Bull  made  a business  arrangement  with  Schuberth  to 
visit  America.  The  artist  and  agent  landed  in  New 
York  in  1843.  He  appeared  at  Park  Theater,  and  re- 
ceived an  ovation  that  had  never  before  been  tendered 
to  a European  musician.  He  took  the  city  by  storm, 
and  the  audiences  were  beside  themselves  with  delight, 
while  the  orchestra  threw  down  their  instruments  in 
ecstatic  wonder.  Bold  as  a lion,  and  courageous  as 
Henry  of  Navarre,  his  body  riddled  with  bullets  in  the 
cause  of  freedom,  he  was  one  of  the  most  sympathetic 
^‘f  men,  simjde-hearted  and  confiding,  and  most  easily 
imposed  upon.  Himself  a man  of  sterling  honesty  and 
ihe  soul  of  honor,  he  would  not  believe  that  others 


OLE  BULL,  VIOLINIST. 


399 


would  wrong  him.  He  was  cheated  and  defrauded  on 
all  hands.  Without  fault  of  his  own,  he  was  constantly 
involved  in  lawsuits.  Men  whom  he  trusted  betrayed 
him.  His  great  gains  dissolved  like  snow  before  an 
April  sun.  His  contract  with  Schuberth  was  an  unfor- 
tunate one.  A disagreement  was  followed  by  a lawsuit 
both  expensive  and  vexatious.  Amid  all  this  Ole 
Bull’s  heart  never  grew  hard.  He  was  still  open- 
handed.  He  confided  in  men,  trusted  in  them,  only  to 
be  further  betrayed  and  more  deeply  wronged. 

A correspondence  was  opened  with  Ole  Bull  by 
Prof.  J.  Jay  Watson  to  induce  the  great  artist  to  leave 
his  Norwegian  home  and  again  visit  America.  The 
visit  of  Prof.  Watson  to  Norway,  the  present  of  the 
Amati  violin,  worth  five  thousand  in  gold,  has  been  al- 
luded to  elsewhere.  Ole  Bull  revisited  our  shores  in 
1852.  He  was  delighted  with  his  young  correspond- 
ent, marked  with  pleasure  his  enthusiasm  on  the  violin, 
and  a sym2:)athetic  bond  seemed  to  be  at  once  formed 
between  the  two  artists.  No  man  was  ever  more  popu- 
lar among  his  people  than  was  Ole  Bull.  The  affection 
that  the  Norwegians  bore  him  broke  out  like  an 
eruption.  He  was  a popular  idol,  a sort  of  household 
god.  His  face  was  in  all  the  public  x^^^ces  of 
Norway.  It  was  embossed  on  the  tea  cups,  drink- 
ing cups,  and  household  goods  of  the  nation.  Hon- 
ors were  conferred  upon  him,  and  he  scattered  his 
great  wealth  in  donations  large  as  the  seas.  His  face, 
luminous  as  a cathedral  window  lit  up  for  Christmas, 
seemed  to  carry  joy  everywhere.  As  he  landed  on  our 
shores  he  was  hailed  as  the  friend  of  America.  Even 
now,  in  1878,  he  exhibits  the  leniency  of  time.  His  mas- 
sive frame  is  tall  and  erect ; his  stex9  firm  and  elastic ; 
his  intellect  clear  and  vigorous  as  when  he  drew  his 
first  bow  in  America,  in  1843.  The  same  kind  smile, 
the  same  ox)en-handed  beneficence,  the  same  hearty 


400 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


and  trusty  friend,  as  if  lie  had  never  been  wronged, 
never  defrauded,  never  been  the  victim  of  ingratitude 
or  treachery.  When  his  fortune  melted  away,  as  men 
wronged  him  out  of  his  hard  earnings,  he  could  always 
recover  himself  with  the  wondrous  magic  of  his  violin. 
He  plays  after  his  own  fashion.  He  is  a great  wizard, 
that  enchants  his  auditors.  His  prodigious  strength 
seems  like  the  feat  of  a Sampson.  His  feats  in  double 
and  treble  stopping  make  an  audience  hold  their 
breath.  He  seems  to  have  aid  from  the  invisible  world 
as  he  performs  two  or  three  parts  at  once  on  his  violin. 
Undoubtedly  he  owes  much  to  his  personal  traits.  His 
simplicity  seems  childlike.  His  awkwardness  and 
timidness,  whether  real  or  affected,  is  a source  of  power. 
When  he  steps  before  an  audience,  those  who  don’t 
know  him  feel  surprised  ; next  they  give  him  sympa- 
thy ; then  a desire  is  felt  to  receive  him  with  kindness, 
as  one  would  receive  a child  who  does  his  best.  He 
cossets  and  toys  with  his  violin  for  a while,  and  then 
draws  his  bow  over  the  strings,  and  is  master  of  the 
situation. 

The  mountains  of  Pennsylvania  captivated  Ole 
Bull,  and  he  proposed  to  establish  a colony  on  the 
Susquehanna.  He  selected  a site  peculiarly  adopted 
to  a freedom-loving  race.  He  purchased  a tract  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  thousand  acres.  He 
gathered  a colony  of  Swedes,  Icelanders,  Danes  and 
Norwegians.  He  lavished  money  on  the  tract  to  make 
it  a home  for  his  countrymen.  He  was  not  sharp 
enough  for  the  swindlers  that  had  surrounded  him. 
The  experiment  cost  him  two  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars before  he  got  out  of  it.  He  was  saddled  with  law- 
suits, sued  for  services  by  schemers  who  had  defrauded 
him.  He  was  only  delivered  by  a sharp  New  York 
legal  frieiid  who  came  to  his  rescue.  On  his  return  to 
Norway,  Ole  Bull  found  his  countrymen  estranged 


OLE  BULL,  VI0LLNI8T. 


401 


from  him.  They  believed  he  had  swindled  the  people 
in  the  colony  scheme.  He  was  charged  with  having 
seduced  his  countrymen  from  comfort  and  freedom, 
and  had  left  them  to  servitude  and  want  in  an  Ameri- 
can wilderness.  His  personal  magnetism  and  presence 
put  these  evil  reports  to  flight. 

He  visited  the  Californian  coast.  Here  a series  of 
misfortunes  overtook  him.  He  was  robbed  by  the  In- 
dians. His  violin  was  stolen.  He  was  taken  down  by 
the  yellow  fever.  At  one  of  his  concerts  the  sheriff 
tried  to  take  his  violin  ; he  fled  from  the  place  through 
fear  of  an  indignant  people.  While  he  lay  sick  with 
the  fever  on  a not  unjust  charge  an  officer  tried  to  carry 
him  from  his  sick  bed  to  the  jail.  In  the  teeth  of  all 
this,  Ole  BulFs  California  trip  netted  him  seventeen 
thousand  dollars. 

For  four  years  this  species  of  persecution  and  rob- 
bery continued.  His  genius  outrode  the  storm.  His 
pure  and  simple  life,  his  manliness  and  generosity, 
won  at  last.  Again  he  visited  Europe,  traveling  from 
city  to  city,  filling  all  lands  with  his  fame,  dropping 
good  acts  from  his  well-filled  hands,  with  his  purse 
never  empty.  Of  all  the  musical  men  who  have  visited 
America,  Ole  Bull  to-day  is  the  most  popular.  He  is 
a liberal  benefactor,  a sympathetic  friend,  and  a man 
whom  all  nationalities  honor. 


26 


403 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


CXXXYIL 

KEY.  HENRY  M.  SCUDDEK. 

EY.  HR.  SCUDDER  has  been  for  nearly  six 
3^ears  pastor  of  the  Central  Congregational 
Church  in  Brooklyn.  He  was  born  in  the 
island  of  Ceylon.  In  the  early  part  of  life 
he  was  missionary  in  India.  His  health  failed  him  and 
he  came  home.  Since  he  returned,  his  principal  settle- 
ments have  been  in  Jersey  City,  in  San  Francisco,  and 
in  Brooklyn.  He  left  the  Pacific  coast  because  his 
health  would  not  allow  him  to  come  up  to  his  ideal  of 
pastoral  work.  He  has  had  almost  an  exampled  suc- 
cess in  Brooklyn,  and  his  prosperity  is  without  a cloud. 
He  is  a tall,  slim,  spare  man,  of  the  Cassius  order, 
whose  nervous  force  is  remarkable.  He  is  a man  of 
very  varied  and  extensive  learning.  He  is  acquainted 
with  the  French,  Greek,  Latin,  Hebrew,  Tamil  and 
Hindoostanee.  He  reads  Sanscrit  perfectly,  and  his  wife 
and  himself  often  converse  in  Hindoo  to  keep  their 
knowledge  bright.  He  read  law  two  years  and  could 
be  admitted  to  the  bar.  It  is  “^M.  D.”  as  well  as  ‘‘  D. 
D.,”  and  is  a capital  surgeon.  In  one  of  his  voyages 
to  the  Pacific  coast,  a man  broke  his  leg.  In  the  ab- 
sence of  a surgeon  Hr.  Scudder  made  the  splints  and 
set  the  limb.  It  was  done  in  so  artistic  a manner  as 
to  command  the  admiration  of  a surgeon.  He  is  a 
finished  athlete,  a fine  rower,  and  one  of  the  best 
swimmers  in  the  State. 

Hr.  Scudder  is  a man  of  great  method.  Every  hour 
of  the  day  is  appropriated,  and  with  the  work  assigned 
to  the  hour,  nothing  is  allowed  to  interfere.  He  does 
no  outside  work,  refuses  all  calls  for  lectures  and 


REV.  HENRY  M.  8CUDDER. 


403 


preaching,  on  the  ground  that  in  his  own  parish  he 
works  up  to  his  full  strength ; should  he  do  more  he 
would  break  down.  His  methods  of  sermon  writing 
are  peculiar.  Monday  is  a day  of  entire  leisure. 
Tuesday  is  given  to  his  people.  On  Wednesday 
he  selects  his  text  and  begins  the  frame-work 
of  his  sermon.  Thursday  he  condenses  his  thoughts. 
Friday  he  writes  out  what  he  will  speak,  using 
only  one  side  of  his  sheets  of  paper.  Saturday  he 
forms  a brief  out  of  what  he  has  written.  He  studies 
the  written  sermon  carefully,  and  thoroughly.  He 
goes  over  the  manuscript  on  Sunday  morning,  takes 
his  brief  into  the  pulpit,  and  preaches  his  sermon.  He 
studies  out  his  sermon  after  a fashion  of  his  own.  His 
Concordance  and  Bible  are  in  the  Greek  language.  He 
turns  to  every  text  in  the  Bible  where  his  subject  is 
referred  to.  Besides  examining  every  word,  he  ex- 
amines every  clause.  As  thoughts  occur  to  him  he 
jots  them  down.  Out  of  this  mass  he  makes  the  ser- 
mon, leaving  of  course  a great  amount  of  matter  un- 
used. He  is  very  affluent  in  illustration.  He  learned 
this  power  not  only  from  the  Bible,  but  from  his  inter- 
course with  the  Brahmins  in  India,  who  employ  word- 
painting  and  illustration  to  accomplish  their  work. 
The  sermons  are  expository,  largely  Biblical,  and  very 
practical.  The  points  seldom  exceed  three,  and  are  so 
expressed  as  to  come  within  the  comprehension  of 
everyone.  He  is  often  eccentric  and  witty  in  the 
pulpit,  and  if  a sharp  thing  comes  to  him,  he  is  not 
afraid  tO  say  it.  All  the  institutions  of  the  church 
partake  of  his  spirit.  The  Bible  is  thoroughly  taught 
in  his  Sunday-school,  and  his  prayer-meeting  is  crisp, 
spirited,  largely  attended  and  cheery.  The  five-min- 
ute rule  is  in  force,  and  in  the  i^rayer-meeting  as  in 
the  pulpit  the  various  exercises  tread  hard  upon  one 
another. 


404 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Dr.  Scudder  is  always  in  a hurry.  This  growing 
out  of  his  immense  nervous  force.  He  acts  like  a man 
always  on  a mission  of  life  and  death.  A lady  met 
him  one  day  and  said:  ‘^Dr.  Scudder,  can  you  give 
me  five  minutes  Taking  out  his  watch  he  replied, 
Yes,  madam,  just  five  minutes.”  Yet  to  those 
who  get  at  him  he  is  found  to  be  simplicity  itself, 
with  a tender,  sympathetic  spirit.  In  social  life  he 
is  endeared  to  all  the  young.  He  seldom  changes,  and 
meets  his  people  with  something  fresh  and  instructive 
at  every  service.  He  is  very  happy  in  his  methods 
with  children.  His  earnest  talk,  pointed  measures, 
win  with  the  young.  He  is  always  in  search  of  knowl- 
edge. He  has  traveled  around  the  world  with  a note- 
book in  his  hand,  and  it  takes  him  but  a short  time  to 
exhaust  any  place.  He  made  a visit  to  the  excavations 
under  Hell  Gate.  One  visit  taught  him  all  there  was 
to  be  learned  in  that  field  of  wonders.  A sea  captain 
took  a pew  in  his  churcli.  He  said  he  had  been  sailing 
to  the  African  coast  all  his  life,  yet  he  learned  more  of 
Africa  in  one  sermon  than  he  ever  knew  before.  Dr. 
Scudder  belongs  to  a missionary  family.  He  was  one 
of  seven  brothers  who  gave  themselves  to  missionary 
work.  Two  of  his  sisters  are  in  India.  His  son  is  a 
physician  on  missionary  ground.  His  daughter  mar- 
ried a missionary  to  Japan,  and  a son  in  Union  Semi- 
nary will  probably  give  himself  to  the  same  work. 

His  style  of  speaking  is  very  magnetic.  A great 
student  of  the  natural  sciences,  and  a metaphysician 
at  heart,  his  preaching  is  plain,  and  not  at  all  incum- 
bered with  the  technicalities  of  the  schools.  He  is 
very  generous,  giving  awa}^  a tenth  of  all  his  income. 
His  nervous  force  leads  to  some  eccentricities.  He 
would  die  without  hearers,  or,  as  he  puts  it : ‘‘Before 
I would  preach  to  empty  benches  I would  dig  pota- 
toes.” His  pastoral  work  is  immense.  He  takes  care 


UEY.  HENRY  M.  SCUHHER. 


40i 


of  a cliurcli  membersliip  of  one  thousand  souls,  and 
has  the  oversight  of  four  hundred  families.  He  never 
slops  over.  When  he  is  made  the  recipient  of  a gift 
his  thanks  are  rendered  in  a simple  sentence.  When 
he  uses  an  unusual  word  he  explains  it.  His  manner 
sometimes  seems  brusque  and  uncivil.  Some  even 
have  been  afraid  to  send  for  him  in  sickness  ; but  when 
he  enters  a house  he  is  gentle  as  a child.  His  methods 
of  church  work  are  very  systematic.  He  keeps  two 
parish  books,  one  holding  the  names  of  all  the  parish, 
and  the  other  the  street  in  which  people  live.  When 
he  visits  a street  he  goes  through  the  entire  member- 
ship. 

Hr.  Scudder’s  sermons  are  not  built  on  a model  of 
rhetorical  form,  though  he  is  no  mean  rhetorician. 
He  has  a rugged  earnestness  in  his  speech  that  attracts, 
wins,  and  instructs.  He  has  built  up  a great  congrega- 
tion, which  is  now  one  of  the  largest  and  promises  to  be 
the  most  influential  Congregational  parish  in  Brook- 
lyn. He  has  gathered  around  him  an  able,  influential 
and  talented  body  of  men.  He  has  taken  sides  in  none 
of  the  squabbles  and  flghts  that  have  rended  Brook- 
lyn, and  has  kept  his  church  aloof  from  all  distracting 
influences  which  have  made  the  City  of  Churches  so 
unfortunately  notorious.  Hr.  Scudder  will  take  rank 
with  the  most  eminent  and  successful  pastors  of  the 
age. 


406 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS, 


cxxxyiii. 

REY.  T.  De  WITT  TALMAGE. 

R.  TALMAGE  is  among  the  most  popular  pul- 
pit orators  of  Brooklyn.  He  has  the  largest 
place  of  worship  in  the  State,  and  the  largest 
regular  congregation.  His  audiences  are 
numbered  by  thousands,  his  communions  by  hundreds. 
For  the  last  three  years  five  hundred  a year  have  been 
added  to  the  church  by  profession.  He  builds  on  no 
man’s  foundation.  He  has  had  no  help  in  the  great 
■work  that  he  has  accomplished.  Under  God  it  is  all 
his  own.  From  any  standpoint  the  work  of  Mr.  Tal- 
mage  is  a marvelous  success.  He  was  called  to  the 
Central  Church,  and  began  his  work  in  March,  1869. 
He  had  calls  from  Brooklyn,  San  Francisco  and  Chi- 
cago. Brooklyn  seemed  the  least  attractive.  The 
Central  Church  was  near  extinction.  A congregation 
meeting  to  call  the  minister  was  held,  and  cast  but 
nineteen  votes,  and  twenty-five  people  was  an  afiluent 
congregation.  Nobody  believed  the  church  could  live, 
and  mourners  were  ready  to  attend  its  funeral.  The 
house  of  worship  was  old-fashioned  and  inconvenient. 
The  organ  was  wheezy,  and  the  steeple  was  the  laugh- 
ing-stock of  the  town.  The  profane  called  the  church 
The  Church  of  the  Holy  Wedge.”  When  the  deci- 
sion came,  it  was  a measuring  cast  between  remaining 
in  Philadelphia  and  removing  to  Brooklyn.  Brook- 
lyn won. 

At  the  start  the  old  edifice  was  crowded.  Men 
came  partly  from  curiosity  and  partly  from  interest. 
The  old  pulpit  came  away.  The  ‘‘sacred  desk”  had 
no  i^lace  in  Talmage’s  service.  A broad  open  platform 


BEV.  T.  DE  WITT  TALMA(^E. 


407 


presented  tlie  preacher  from  his  boots  to  his  hair.  He 
ranged  np  and  down,  enjoying  the  freedom  with  an 
open  sea  and  no  favor.  His  themes  were  not  more  ex- 
hilarating than  his  methods.  Talmage  was  brought  up 
on  the  Heidelbnrg  Catechism  and  does  credit  to  his 
training.  He  brought  to  his  new  field  a firm  faith  in 
the  Bible,  and  an  intense  love  for  its  teachings.  He 
talked  about  heaven,  hell,  repentance  and  damnation 
in  the  exact  language  of  the  Bible.  'Not  because  he 
loved  to  talk  upon  these  things,  but  because  he  found 
them  in  the  Bible.  Men  said,  “This  will  never  do. 
People  won’t  stand  such  preaching  as  that.  It  will 
make  the  men  mad  and  frighten  the  women  into  fits.” 
It  has  done  very  well  for  eight  years,  and  promises  to 
do  very  well  for  eight  years  more. 

During  the  first  year  of  Mr.  Talmage’ s ministry  the 
Tabernacle  was  built.  This  was  burnt  to  the  ground 
in  1872.  The  houseless  congregation  was  driven  into 
the  Academy  of  Music.  Against  the  advice  of  his 
friends  the  Sunday  night  prayer-meeting  was  opened  in 
this  house  of  players.  It  proved  a great  success.  He 
inaugurated  a revival  which  has  lasted  to  this  hour.  For 
fourteen  months  the  houseless  congregation  occupied 
the  Academy  till  the  present  mammoth  Tabernacle  was 
opened  in  1874.  The  congregation,  which  filled  every 
part  of  the  great  house,  has  remained  undiminished. 

Mr.  Talmage  has  reversed  all  the  ideas  of  jjulpit 
success.  Churchly  associations  are  not  necessary  to 
crowd  a house  with  devout  worshipers.  He  has 
shown  that  a free  church  can  be  financially  i^rosperous 
and  pay  expenses.  Sensational  preaching,  exciting 
topics  are  not  necessary  to  secure  an  evening  congrega- 
tion. If  Mr.  Talmage  preaches  on  popular  things  he 
does  it  in  the  morning.  His  evening  services,  to  use 
his  own  phrase,  “are  devoted  to  soul-saving.”  His 
themes  and  services  are  strictly  revival  in  character. 


408 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Out  of  a congregation  of  three  thousand,  two  thousand 
often  remain  to  the  praj^er-meeting  after  the  sermon, 
and  frequently  one  hundred  rise  for  prayers.  Mr. 
Talmage  has  been  nineteen  years  a minister,  and  is  now 
forty- three  years  of  age.  He  follows  no  law  in  the 
making  of  a sermon  any  more  than  he  does  of  its  de- 
livery. He  does  absolutely  nothing  on  Mondays. 
He  studies  when  he  feels  like  it.  He  keeps  a 
book  of  subjects  and  is  after  live  topics.  He  makes 
a careful  plan  of  his  sermon,  and  this  is  written 
on  a half-sheet  of  note  paper.  He  walks  live  miles 
on  every  sermon,  writes  it  on  his  mind,  and  be- 
comes the  master  of  it  before  he  touches  the  plat- 
form. He  delivers  his  sermons  without  a scrap  of 
paper  or  a note  on  his  table.  His  memory  is  prodig- 
ious, accurate  and  ready.  He  likens  the  readiness  of 
his  illustrations  to  a man  coming  out  of  a grove  cov- 
ered with  burrs.  He  don’ t know  how  they  got  on  him, 
but  he  picks  them  olf  one  by  one  and  throws  them 
away.  He  hates  cant  and  professionalism  in  the  pul- 
pit. Whether  natural  or  acquired,  his  peculiarities 
and  blemishes  become  sources  of  power.  He  comes 
onto  the  platform  and  stands  for  a moment  still  as  a 
statue.  His  voice  is  harsh  and  unmusical,  with  a Yan- 
kee twang,  which,  when  one  gets  used  to  it,  gives  the 
sermon  a positive  relish.  His  utterances  are  abrupt 
and  brilliant  as  a Homan  candle.  His  cadences  defy 
the  schools,  and  his  sentences,  when  they  end,  are  like 
a cone  with  the  base  upwards. 

He  preaches  now  without  a particle  of  writing,  yet  a 
few  years  ago  he  was  the  veriest  slave  to  a manuscript  of 
any  man  in  the  country.  He  was  settled  in  Belleville, 
N.  J.  The  congregation  was  made  up  largely  of  Hew 
York  merchants.  Hegarding  his  hearers  as  very  crit- 
ical, he  wrote  every  thing.  He  preached  twice  on  Sun- 
day and  gave  a lecture  in  the  week,  reading  closely 


REV.  T.  BE  WITT  T AIM  AGE. 


409 


from  Ms  manuscript.  The  parish  introduced  gas  into 
the  church,  and  a great  crowd  came  together  to  see  the 
house  lighted.  Unfortunately  the  pastor  had  but  one 
sermon,  and  that  he  had  delivered  in  the  morning. 
What  should  be  done  at  night  ? He  had  an  old  college 
thesis,  which  occupied  fifteen  minutes  in  the  reading. 
In  desperation  he  decided  to  fall  back  on  that,  and  fill 
up  the  lialf-hour,  if  he  could,  with  extemporaneous 
remarks.  With  paper  in  hand  he  faced  the  great 
crowd,  attached  a text  to  his  thesis  and  begun  the  read- 
ing. • He  saw  how  shallow  the  pretext  was  and  how 
near  the  end  of  his  manuscript  lie  was  coming.  He  was 
intensely  excited,  and  beads  of  sweat  stood  out  upon 
his  forehead.  Fourteen  minutes  were  gone  and  one 
minute  of  manuscript  remained.  All  at  once  the  lights 
began  to  flicker.  Oh,  if  they  would  only  go  out,  thought 
the  preacher,  what  a providence  ; and  out  they  went, 
just  as  he  was  uttering  the  last  word.  The  benediction 
was  pronounced  in  utter  darkness  and  the  congregation 
quietly  dispersed.  The  preacher  resolved  to  end  that 
slavery.  He  made  a plunge  for  extemporaneous  preach- 
ing and  has  never  read  a sermon  since. 

Of  course  Mr.  Talmage  is  a brilliant  mark  for  sensa- 
tional journalists.  His  dramatic  ]30wer,  his  long  lank 
form,  his  vehement  gestures,  his  occasional  tearing 
around  'the  pulpit  as  in  his  passion,  and  his  im- 
passioned declamation,  with  his  long  pauses  and 
abrupt  endings  are  easily  burlesqued.  His  sermons  on 
the  theaters  produced  a great  excitement.  One  of  them 
was  widely  circulated  and  severely  commented  upon. 
The  language  was  scarcely  fit  for  the  pulpit,  and  the 
extravagance  of  the  denunciations,  like  a recoiling  gun, 
hurt  the  utterer  more  than  the  pastimes  against  which 
it  was  aimed.  That  sermon  was  never  preached.  It 
was  made  up  out  of  whole  cloth,  intended  as  a bur- 
lesque to  neutralize  the  honest  blows  actually  given. 


410 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


One  week  evening,  between  Christmas  and  New  Year’s, 
the  pastor  met  his  young  people  in  the  Lay  College 
parlors.  The  object  of  the  meeting  was  to  prepare  for 
a New  Year’s  festival.  A man  asked  Talmage  how  he 
felt.  In  his  jolly  way  the  pastor  said,  I feel  like  the 
morning  star.”  The  story  appeared  in  a religious 
newspaper  in  this  wise : that  Talmage  in  the  midst  of 
his  sermon  stojiped  and  sang  ‘‘Shoo-lly,”  to  the  de- 
light of  his  congregation.  Another  religious  paper 
asserted,  and  this  was  to  show  Talmage’ s dramatic 
power,  that  he  came  on  to  the  platform  on  Sunday 
morning  dressed  like  an  Indian  chief,  with  a hunting- 
shirt  on,  a tomahawk  in  one  hand,  a scalping-knife  in 
the  other.  He  gave  a true  savage  yell,  to  which  the 
people  responded.  Of  course  the  whole  story  was  false 
from  beginning  to  end. 

As  many  nationalities  hear  Talmage  preach  as  lis- 
tened to  St.  Peter  at  Pentecost.  Swedes,  Germans,  Nor- 
wegians, English,  W elsh.  Hutch,  are  found  nightly  in  his 
inquiry  meeting,  with  representatives  from  every  State 
in  the  Union.  It  is  estimated  that  over  six  thousand 
people  were  converted  by  the  ministry  at  the  Taber- 
nacle last  year.  Talmage  is  an  indomitable  worker. 
He  is  tireless,  and  what  would  crush  many  men  is  sim- 
ply a delicious  recreation  to  him.  Either  his  church, 
his  lay  college,  his  lectures,  or  his  newspaper  work 
would  be  enough  for  most  men.  He  is  quite  as  popu- 
lar with  his  pen  as  he  is  with  speech.  His  sermons  go 
round  the  globe.  His  study  table,  covered  with  en- 
velopes in  which  are  advance  sheets  of  his  sermon, 
resembles  the  table  of  a post-master.  These  advance 
sheets  of  his  sermons  are  sent  oif  to  London,  Edinburgh, 
Montreal,  Chicago  and  San  Francisco,  and  all  the 
principal  cities  of  the  nation.  Talmage  occupies  his 
own  j)ulpit,  and  does  his  own  work.  He  has  never 
exchanged  since  his  settlement  in  Brooklyn,  and  but 


HABITS  OF  EMINENT  MINISTEB8. 


411 


once  lias  h«eard  a minister  jireacli  on  his  own  platform. 
Talmage  has  the  art  of  making  everything  interesting 
he  touches.  His  prayer-meeting,  one  of  the  largest  in 
the  city,  is  never  conducted  twice  alike.  It  is  always 
interesting,  always  racy.  The  Sunday  school  of  the 
Tabernacle  is  one  of  the  largest  in  the  State,  and  one 
of  the  best  conducted.  Major  Corwin,  who  has  been 
from  the  start  both  an  Aaron  and  a Hur  to  the  pastor, 
has  made  the  Sunday-school  what  it  is. 


CXXXIX. 

HABITS  OF  EMINENT  MINISTERS. 

CCESSFUL  men,  star  preachers,  men  of 
national  and  European  fame,  men  distin- 
guished for  learning,  for  theological  dejiths, 
for  eloquence,  sensationalism,  and  magnet- 
ism, for  pastorates  of  long  duration,  will  be  found  in 
large  cities,  in  every  government,  in  every  clime.  No 
two  of  them  owe  their  success  to  the  same  methods  or 
the  same  talents.  What  sends  one  man  upwards  in  a 
halo  of  glory,  sends  another  down  to  the  depths  of  ob- 
scurity. What  makes  one  man  famous,  kills  another. 
One  man  fails  in  one  city  and  becomes  a pulpit  star  in 
another.  One  man  takes  the  lead  of  his  brethren  in 
the  country,  and  is  of  no  account  in  the  town.  One 
man  hangs  by  the  eyelids  in  a factory  village,  and 
draws  a magnificent  salary  in  a metropolitan  pulpit. 
One  man  succeeds  because  he  reads — another  because 
he  does  not.  One  man  is  a pulpit  success  because  he 


413 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


is  a digging,  delving  student,  another  is  a better  suc- 
cess because  lie  read  nothing  but  novels  in  college, 
drav^s  his  materials  from  newspapers,  and  makes  up 
his  sermon  in  the  cars.  John  Hall  writes  a sermon  a 
week  to  keep  up  his  style.  Spurgeon,  who  talks  the 
purest  English  of  his  age,  never  wrote  a sermon  till 
after  it  was  delivered.  He  makes  his  sermons  on  the 
jump,  oftener  on  the  backs  of  letters  than  anything 
else,  and  says  if  he  had  six  days  to  write  a sermon  in 
he  would  give  it  the  go-by  till  the  last  half-hour  of  the 
sixth  day.  Hr.  Hall  was  a success  because  he  preaches 
without  notes.  Hr.  Chalmers  was  a greater  success, 
and  he  wrote  and  read  every  word  of  his  sermons.  Hr. 
Hice  was  a most  po^jular  man  in  the  West.  His  church 
was  always  crowded,  and  his  name  for  a platform 
speech  would  till  any  hall.  In  the  Fifth  Avenue 
Church  he  amounted  to  nothing.  He  might  as  well 
been  settled  at  Sandy  Hook.  Hr.  Paxton  came  to  Hew 
York  with  a great  deal  of  fame.  He  has  only  a cor- 
porals guard  to  hear  him  in  his  magnificent  church  on 
Fifth  avenue.  W.  H.  H.  Murray  was  settled  as  col- 
league with  the  Hev.  E.  F.  Hatfield,  in  the  Horth 
Presbyterian  Church.  Trouble  arose  between  the  pastor 
and  the  people.  The  former  was  dismissed,  but  nobody 
thought  of  retaining  the  colleague.  Murray  preached 
with  very  ordinary  success  at  Greenwich  and  at  Meri- 
den, Conn.  He  accepted  a call  to  Boston,  and  filled 
Park  Street  Church  to  repletion.  Hr.  Sprague  wrote 
elegant  sermons,*  and  read  the  manuscript  from  begin- 
ning to  end.  Hr.  Edwards  preached  his  great  sermon 
on  ‘‘The  Smallness  of  the  Elect  ” in  the  Enfield  Church. 
There  were  twelve  hundred  people  present.  At  times 
the  audience  was  so  excited  that  men  rose  to  their  feet. 
The  sermon  was  written  in  the  finest  possible  hand  on 
the  leaves  of  a blank  book  such  as  a servant  girl  carries 
to  the  grocer’s.  The  preacher  held  the  book  in  his  left 


HABITS  OF  EMINENT  MINISTEIiS. 


413 


hand,  his  elbow  resting  on  a pulpit  cushion,  and  he 
scarcely  lifted  a finger  from  the  beginning  to  the  end. 
Albert  Barnes  was  settled  for  years  over  the  richest, 
most  fashionable,  and  largest  Presbjderian  church  in 
Philadelphia.  He  was  diffidence  personilied.  He  read 
every  word,  kept  his  eyes  closely  on  the  manuscript, 
occasionally  would  dart  a timid  glance  to  the  right  or 
the  left,  and  seldom  moved  a finger  in  gesture. 

Eev.  T.  L.  Cutler. — Dr.  Cuyler  is  one  of  the  most 
successful  pastors  in  the  State  of  Hew  York.  He  has 
marked  ability  and  practical  talent  of  a high  order. 
A series  of  favorable  circumstances  welcomed  his 
coming  to  Brooklyn.  He  had  a sturdy,  steady  devotion 
to  truth,  was  magnetic  as  a preacher,  with  a voice  son- 
orous and  agreeable,  and  with  an  unction  that  never 
deserted  him.  He  has  the  finest  church  location  in 
Brooklyn.  It  is  neither  up-town  nor  down-town,  neither 
north  nor  south.  The  church  edifice  is  of  brown  stone, 
as  churchly  as  the  most  fastidious  could  desire.  His 
house  will  seat  comfortably  two  thousand  auditors,  and 
is  always  full.  He  has  been  sixteen  years  pastor  of 
Lafayette  Avenue  Presbyterian  Church,  and  from  a 
small  handful  of  seventy-five  church  members  he  has 
added  four  thousand  to  the  church  roll,  and  with  all 
the  changes  of  a city  population,  his  church  has  to-day 
an  actual  membership  of  twenty-seven  hundred  and 
fifty-eight. 

Dr.  Cuyler  was  pastor  in  1860  of  the  Rutgers  Street 
Reformed  Church.  He  saw  the  population  drifting 
from  Market  street  towards  Central  Park,  and  he 
begged  his  people  to  secure  lots  in  upper  New  York, 
or  the  old  Market  Street  Church  would  go  by  the  board. 
The  consistory,  by  a majority  of  one  vote,  decided  to 
remain,  and  Cuyler  accepted  a call  from  what  was 
then  the  Park  Church,  and  began  his  career  in  Brook- 


414 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


lyn.  The  Park  Church  was  a feeble  folk.  It  occupied 
a long,  low  and  dingy  chapel,  on  De  Kalb  and  Carlton 
avenues.  The  congregation  soon  outgrew  its  accommo- 
dations and  entered  into  a contract  for  the  building  of 
the  well-known  Lafayette  Avenue  Presbyterian  Church. 
The  edifice  and  appliances  are  worth  one  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  dollars.  It  cost  the  parish,  land  and 
all,  but  fifty-five  thousand.  As  the  guns  fired  on 
Sumter,  the  cellar  walls  of  the  edifice  were  going  up. 
The  civil  war  was  upon  us,  and  it  was  proposed  to  sus- 
jjend  the  building.  ‘‘You  must  carry  on  the  work 
now,-’  said  the  pastor,  with  his  indomitable  energy. 
“ You  shall  do  it,  if  I beg  from  door  to  door.”  The 
last  selvedge  of  debt  was  removed  in  June,  1876,  the 
sixteenth  anniversary  of  the  pastor’s  settlement. 

Dr.  Cuyler  has  a way  of  his  own  in  writing  his  ser- 
mons. He  does  no  work  on  Monday.  Saturday  is  a 
day  of  absolute  rest  from  mental  work.  Tuesday  is 
his  golden  day  for  composition.  He  studies  in  his 
church.  He  locks  his  door,  and  usually  completes  his 
work  before  leaving  his  study.  He  writes  a third, — 
sometimes  one-half, — seldom  the  whole  of  a sermon. 
He  seldom  reads  what  he  has  written,  unless  he  is  ex- 
act about  phraseology.  He  sat  at  the  feet  of  the  great 
masters  and  learned  from  each.  Prof.  Hodge,  his 
theological  tutor,  preached  mainly  from  the  Epistles. 
The  elder  Alexander  preached  almost  exclusively  from 
the  Psalms.  Addison  Alexander,  from  the  Gospels. 
Cuyler  took  the  excellency  of  the  three  systems  and 
gets  his  gospel  from  the  three  methods.  He  took  a 
leaf  out  of  his  own  experience  in  addressing  the  stu- 
dents of  the  Drew  Seminary.  He  urged  the  young 
men  to  secure  an  abundance  of  sleep,  good  nutritious 
food,  to  make  Monday  their  day  of  rest,  and  fill  up 
Saturday  with  physical  exercise,  to  blindly  follow 
nobody,  however  successful  they  were,  for  success 


HABITS  OF  EMINENT  MINISTERS. 


415 


came  from  all  quarters  and  waited  on  the  most  contra- 
dictory methods. 

Dr.  Cuyler  is  eminently  a gospel  preacher,  practi- 
cal, experimental  and  evangelical.  He  is  in  no  sense 
a sensational,  though  his  gri^D  on  young  men  has  been 
large.  For  twenty  years  he  has  been  connected  with 
the  public  press,  and  this  has  been  a lengthening  of  his 
tranquillity.  'No  writer  is  so  universally  read  and 
copied  from.  This  custom  has  kept  him  abreast  of 
the  times,  furnished  him  with  live  topics,  and  has  re- 
acted with  power  on  his  pulpit  performances.  He  has 
been  thirty  years  in  the  ministry,  and  over  half  this 
period  has  been  spent  with  his  church  in  Brooklyn. 
When  he  settled,  there  was  not  a new-school  Presbyte- 
rian church  within  a mile.  Since  then  large  popular 
churches  have  arisen  in  the  neighborhood.  The  La- 
fayette Church  still  holds  its  own.  The  pastor  stands 
foremost  among  the  eminent  men  of  the  city.  Popular 
with  the  citizens,  beloved  by  the  brotherhood,  honored 
and  cherished  for  his  catholicity  by  his  sister  sects, 
his  fame  will  be  handed  down  to  coming  time. 

Hexey  Ward  Beecher  follows  no  scholastic  law 
in  preparing  his  sermons.  He  writes  out  what  he  calls 
a ‘‘nice  little  Episcopal  sermon,”  complete  in  itself. 
Should  he  read  it  from  end  to  end,  it  would  take,  him 
about  twenty  minutes.  Into  this  elaborate  skeleton  he 
infuses  the  life  of  his  own  magnetism  as  he  passes 
along.  His  illustrations  are  caught  at  random.  He 
seizes  them  as  men  seize  a missile  when  surrounded  by 
dogs,  without  regard  to  its  form  or  fitness.  In  matters 
of  illustration  he  repeats  himself  perpetually.  Those 
who  read  his  sermons  printed  in  the  palmers  from  day 
to  day  will  find  his  metaphors  and  figures  the  same 
that  are  found  in  his  Life-Thoughts.  Beecher’ s sermons 
are  like  a kaleidoscope,  and  his  illustrations  like  bits 


416 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


of  glass.  Tlie  same  fragments  of  glass,  the  same  color- 
ing, but  slightly  changed  in  form  in  the  revolution. 
Beecher’s  habits  of  sermonizing  would  kill  most  men. 
He  studies  everywhere.  His  active  mind  is  constantly 
at  work.  He  prepares  his  morning  sermon  after  break- 
fast, and  often  takes  it  wet  with  him  into  the  pulpit. 
He  excused  this  practice  to  a friend,  by  saying: 
like  my  bread  hot.”  After  dinner  he -sleeps,  and  then 
lirepares  the  evening  sermon,  and  takes  that  with  him 
into  the  pulpit  in  the  evening.  He  cannot  run  in  ruts. 
Mr.  Camp,  the  leader  of  his  choir,  never  knows  what  is 
to  be  sung,  till  the  hymn  is  given  out.  Camp  wanted  the 
hymns  for  rehearsal.  The  pastor  refused  to  give  them. 
“Let  me  have,  then,  the  closing  hymn,”  says  the 
leader.  “ I do  not  know  what  I shall  sing  myself.  If  I 
did,  I wouldn’t  sing  it,”  was  the  reply.  Mr.  Beecher 
is  a talkist,  and  can  talk  as  well  on  one  theme  as  another. 
Could  probably  preach  as  popular  a sermon  from  an 
omnibus  horse  falling  in  the  street,  as  from  the  giving 
of  the  Law  on  the  mount.  He  is  marvelously  persua- 
sive, and  after  a ministry  of  thirty  years,  is  as  popular 
to-day,  as  he  was  the  first  hour.  Men  and  women 
hang  with  rapture  on  the  words  of  his  lips,  and  his 
congregation  is  limited  only  by  the  capacity  of  his 
house. 

Hev.  Dr.  Storks. — Hev.  Hichard  S.  Storrs  is  one 
of  the  leading  minds  of  the  Congregational  Church. 
His  fame  rests  on  his  solid  judgment,  his  strong  com- 
mon sense,  his  profound  learning,  and  his  masterly 
pulpit  eloquence.  He  is  pastor  of  the  oldest  Congre- 
gational church  in  Brooklyn,  — one  of  the  richest, 
and  one  of  the  strongest.  Beecher  sweeps  in  the 
masses.  Storrs  takes  the  wealth  and  conservatism  of 
the  denomination.  He  has  held  his  present  position 
through  the  lifetime  of  a generation.  He  has  had 


HABITS  OF  EMINENT  MINISTERS. 


417 


tempting  calls,  and  offers  of  brilliant  positions.  Strong 
efforts  were  made  to  induce  him  to  take  the  pastorate 
of  the  Brick  Presbyterian  Church  of  New  York.  The 
position  itself  was  enviable,  giving  him  the  clear  leader- 
ship of  the  Presbyterian  body.  The  church  was  old, 
strong,  and  rich.  The  salary  was  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars, and  tifteen  thousand  if  he  wanted  it.  To  this  was 
added  a parsonage,  worth  forty-five  thousand  dollars, 
completely  and  handsomely  furnished,  and  free  of  rent, 
while  the  pastor  remained  with  the  Brick  Church. 
These  brilliant  offers  could  not  tempt  him  to  leave  the 
people  among  whom  he  had  spent  his  youth,  and 
among  whom  he  proposes  to  die. 

Through  all  the  early  ministry  of  Dr.  Storrs,  his 
method  of  sermonizing  was  after  the  old  New  England 
order.  He  passed  his  weeks  in  comjjosing,  with  great 
care  and  elaboration,  his  sermons,  which  he  read  from 
the  manuscript  on  the  Lord’s  day.  His  congregations 
were  never  crowded,  and  the  order  and  beauty  of  his 
services  did  not  attract  the  masses.  An  important 
change  came  over  his  ministry,  and  altered  all  the 
method  of  thought  and  action  which  had  passed 
nearly  a quarter  of  a century  of  his  pastoral  life.  No 
man  knew  better  than  Dr.  Storrs  that  he  did  not  pos- 
sess that  magnetism  that  makes  a man  poi)ular  in  the 
popular  sense.  Brooklyn  was  a favorite  field  for  sen- 
sational efforts.  Every  year  Dr.  Storrs  saw  men  come 
into  Brooklyn,  hire  a hall,  and  fill  it  to  repletion,  take 
a run-down  church,  and  crowd  it  to  the  pavement,  and 
though  the  reign  of  such  men  was  short,  it  could  not 
be  denied  that  for  a time  they  did  run  well.  Many  of 
these  stars  were  uneducated — some  of  them,  just  before 
their  advent,  were,  according  to  their  own  showing, 
engaged  in  the  honest  business  of  whitewashing,  or 
carrying  a kalsomining  pail  to  their  day’s  work.  The 
question  naturally  occurred  to  the  mind  of  the  pastor,. 

27 


418 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


why  don’t  I draw  ; I certainly  know  as  much  as  these 
men,  and  have  as  much  force.  There  must  be  some- 
thing wrong  in  my  methods.  He  felt  that  he  was  in  a 
rut,  that  his  people  were  in  a rut,  and  something  must 
be  done  to  change  matters. 

Just  then  Dr.  Storrs  received  a call  from  an  impor- 
tant church  in  Boston.  The  acceptance  of  it  would 
give  him  the  lead  of  the  Puritan  churches  in  that  Pur- 
itan city.  He  had  reached  that  period  when  ministers 
feel  that  a change  is  indispensable  to  their  health,  hap- 
piness, and  success.  Pastors  usually  relieve  them- 
selves by  seeking  a new  field  of  labor.  The  pastor  of 
the  Church  of  the  Pilgrims  decided  that  either  he  must 
strike  out  a new  line  of  action  or  seek  a new  field  of 
labor.  His  people  to  retain  him  jiroposed  extensive 
alterations  in  the  church  edifice.  The  Academy  of 
Music  was  secured  till  the  repairs  were  completed.  On 
entering  the  Academy  of  Music  he  saw  he  had  an  en- 
tirely new  congregation  to  preach  to,  and  that  the  old 
methods  would  not  avail  in  the  new  place.  He  threw 
aside  his  manuscript  and  addressed  himself  to  his  new 
work  with  unaccustomed  vigor.  His  eloquence,  his 
vehemence,  his  impassioned  delivery,  his  chaste  and 
vigorous  rhetoric,  with  his  fresh  and  racy  themes,  told 
at  once.  The  Academy  of  Music  was  crowded  with  a 
delighted  auditory,  and  a new  life  as  a preacher  opened 
to  him.  His  preparations  were  made  with  the  utmost 
care,  and  his  sermons  were  studied  with  the  delibera- 
tion of  a general  planning  a campaign.  Whether  his 
example  could  be  followed  safely  by  men  of  less  ex- 
perience, less  eloquence,  less  study,  a lower  standard 
of  industry,  less  force  of  character,  is  a question.  That 
Dr.  S'orrs  has  made  a successful  change  of  base  no  one 
can  doubt.  His  fame  as  a preacher  extends  over  the 
continent  and  crowds  listen  to  him  when  he  can  be  in- 
duced to  go  abroad. 


HABITS  OF  EMINENT  MINISTERS. 


419 


Rev.  Stephen  H.  Tyng,  Jr. — Young  Tyng,  as  lie 
is  familiarly  called,  lias  been  fifteen  years  rector  of 
Holy  Trinity.  He  founded  tlie  parish  and  been  its  sole 
rector.  He  built  the  magnificent  and  commodious 
edifice  that  stands  by  the  Grand  Central  Depot,  from 
foundation  to  spire.  The  parish  is  one  of  the  most 
eminently  working  parishes  of  the  city.  A religious 
service  is  held  under  its  roof 'every  night  in  the  week. 
The  rector  preaches  thirty  sermons  every  month, — one 
for  every  calendar  day.  He  has  two  thousand  church 
members  on  his  roll,  and  it  costs  sixty-five  thousand 
dollars  a year  to  meet  all  the  expenses  of  the  parish. 
His  Sunday-school  is  one  of  the  largest  in  New  York, 
and  when  all  the  schools  are  brought  together  his  great 
church  is  crowded  to  overflowing.  He  is  personally  a 
slim,  frail-looking  young  man,  light  hair,  of  great  elas- 
ticity of  movement,  of  nervous  organization,  and  doing 
daily  the  work  of  ten  men.  The  organizations  of  his 
societies,  which  are  numerous,  center  in  him  as  the 
machinery  at  the  Centennial  centered  in  the  Corliss  en- 
gine. He  holds  everything  in  his  hands,  knows  every 
dollar  due  on  the  church,  every  mortgage,  and  handles 
the  finances  with  consummate  ability. 

The  parish,  which  is  a monument  of  industry,  is  the 
work  of  his  own  hands.  He  has  the  organizing  gift  of 
Wesley.  He  could  say,  with  that  distinguished  Metho- 
dist, who,  when  asked  how  he  accomplished  so  much 
with  so  few  helpers,  replied:  “ We  are  all  at  it,  and 
always  at  it.”  Young  Tyng  is  distinguished  as  a Bible 
preacher.  His  sermons  grow  out  of  his  work.  He 
studies  here  and  there,  now  and  then.  His  sermons 
are  composed  on  a sheet  of  note-paper.  His  illustra- 
tions and  passages  quoted  are  prominently  marked.  He 
places  his  brief  in  the  Bible,  and  this  he  holds  in  his 
hand  while  he  delivers  his  sermon.  Occasionally  he 
refers  to  his  notes  ; occasionally  reads  a j)a.ssage  from 


420 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


the  Bible  to  make  it  impressive.  He  is  a fluent  speaker, 
with  great  command  of  language  ; has  great  gift  at  ex- 
temporaneous speaking,  and  is  free  and  magnetic  in 
his  utterances.  His  Bible  is  a store-house  of  helps.  It 
is  full  of  anecdote,  illustration  and  marked  texts.  The 
margin  is  full  of  annotations  and  passages  that  point 
to  the  same  thing.  With  this  book  in  hand  he  is  ready 
at  any  moment  to  preach,  conduct  Bible-reading,  or 
give  an  exhortation. 

Mr.  Tyng  is  catholic  in  his  spirit,  and  is  welcomed 
to  the  pulpits  of  all  denominations.  His  church,  nom- 
inally Episcopal,  is  really  eclectic,  embracing  some  of 
the  best  members  of  all  denominations.  Mr.  Tyng  has 
great  social  gifts,  is  cheery  and  joyful  in  his  disposition, 
and  is  one  of  the  most  popular  preachers  and  pastors 
of  the  age.  His  recreation  is  wholly  in  his  ministerial 
work,  and  he  lives  for  that  alone.  He  prefers  his  Jeru- 
salem above  his  chief  joy.  He  goes  little  into  society  ; 
is  not  fond  of  pastime,  soirees,  nor  parties,  but  gives  all 
his  strength  and  all  his  hours  to  the  ministry  of  the 
Lord  in  the  church  under  his  charge.  How  long  a man 
can  bear  the  strain  that  is  upon  him,  and  maintain  his 
health  amid  such  incessant  toil,  the  future  alone  can 
tell.  His  life  shows  a success  in  a simple,  earnest, 
gospel  minister,  in  the  midst  of  the  fashion,  wealth  and 
dissipation  of  a metropolitan  city. 

Bev.  Henry  J.  Yan  Dyke. — Dr.  Yan  Dyke  has 
been  for  twenty-four  years  pastor  of  a leading  Presby- 
terian church  in  Brooklyn.  He  has  maintained  a 
front  rank  as  one  of  the  most  eloquent  and  instructive 
preachers.  His  manner  of  delivery  is  nervous,  terse, 
and  forcible.  His  sentences  are  sharp,  short,  and  in- 
cisive. He  does  not  believe  in  anything  outside  of  his 
pulpit.  The  lecture  held  has  no  attractions  for  him. 
The  turmoil  and  confusion  and  excitement  of  the 


HABITS  OF  EMINENT  MINISTERS. 


421 


editorial  sanctum  have  no  power  to  allure  him  from 
his  theological  studies.  He  has  no  clap- trap  and  relies 
for  success  in  the  ministry  on  the  preaching  of  an  old- 
fashioned  gospel  wdth  earnestness  and  sincerity.  He 
devotes  his  mornings  to  study.  He  studies  in  his 
church.  He  enters  his  room  about  eight  in  the  morning 
and  closes  his  work  about  two  in  the  afternoon.  His 
sermons  are  not  prepared  till  the  last  of  the  week, 
when  the  full  pressure  is  upon  him.  His  subjects  come 
to  him.  He  sits  at  his  table  and  usually  finishes  his 
sermon  before  he  arises.  On  Saturday  he  revises  what 
he  has  written,  impresses  it  thoroughly  on  his  memory, 
commits  nothing,  makes  a brief  and  takes  that  into  the 
pulpit,  and  from  it  delivers  his  sermon.  His  illustra- 
tions are  left  blank.  He  can  put  them  forth  with  more 
power  when  they  gush  forth  with  the  impetuosity  of 
the  utterance  than  when  they  are  written. 

Hr.  Van  Dyke  is  a great  student  of  the  Bible.  His 
preaching  is  mainly  explanatory  and  practical.  He 
preaches  a system  of  theology  as  he  finds  it  in  the 
Bible.  He  preaches  the  gospel  from  the  Old  Testa- 
ment as  well  as  the  'New.  The  aim  of  his  preaching  is 
to  make  people  acquainted  with  the  meaning  of  the 
Holy  Spirit.  His  evening  service  is  always  an  exposi- 
tory one,  yet  taking  all  the  form  of  a service.  He 
believes,  with  Hr.  Plumer,  that  “ there  are  a thousand 
ways  to  make  a sermon,  and  each  way  may  be  good  for 
some  one.”  He  does  not  believe  in  Hr.  Hall’s  method 
of  writing  a sermon,  committing  it  to  memory,  and 
delivering  it.  without  notes.  Nor  does  he  believe  in 
purely  extemporaneous  preaching  His  own  method 
of  carefully  writing,  and  then  making  an  abstract  and 
taking  that  with  him  into  the  pulpit,  to  be  the  best 
method. 

He  is  a man  of  great  force  of  character,  with  great 
command  of  language,  and  ready  for  every  exigency. 


432 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


While  moderator  of  the  General  Assembly,  he  was 
called  upon  to  make  a response  to  the  foreign  dele- 
gates. Some  ten  or  fifteen  of  them  addressed  the 
assembly,  offering  their  salutations.  To  all  these  the 
moderator  was  expected  to  reply  in  a single  speech. 
Dr.  Van  Dyke  arose,  and  in  an  address  lasting  three- 
fourths  of  an  hour,  replied  felicitously  to  every  visi- 
tor, making  apt  references  to  each  case,  and  doing 
his  work  in  a chaste  and  eloquent  manner.  He  shows 
a command  of  language  and  a ready  utterance  that 
was  marvelous.  Dr.  Van  Dyke  has  in  him  the  stuff 
out  of  which  martyrs  are  made.  During  the  civil  war 
he  held  some  views  that  were  not  considered  popular. 
He  kept  on  with  his  church  work  as  if  every  one  agreed 
with  him.  His  tranquillity  was  assured  by  the  love  his 
people  bore  him.  They  knew  him  as  no  other  class 
did.  They  knew  him  as  a man  with  a brusque  and 
abrupt  exterior,  but  with  a tender  heart  and  a sympa- 
thizing spirit.  They  knew  him  at  the  bedside  of  the 
sick,  and  in  the  chamber  of  death.  He  had  buried 
their  dead,  baptized  their  children  and  consoled  the 
living.  They  clove  to  him  as  Ruth  clove  to  Naomi. 
To-day  Dr.  Van  Dyke  is  one  of  the  most  honored  and 
successful  pastors  in  Brooklyn. 

Rev.  George  H.  Hep  worth. — Mr.  Hepworth  is  a 
rhetorician.  He  has  a line  voice,  a fine  presence,  a de- 
livery that  is  rarely  equalled,  and  he  has  the  best  ele- 
ments that  make  up  what  is  known  as  a popular 
preacher.  When  he  left  the  Unitarian  Church,  in 
which  he  was  very  popular,  he  captivated  the  popular 
heart  of  New  York.  On  opening  Steinway  Hall  for 
worship  the  hall  was  crowded  to  repletion.  His  gifts 
as  a pulpit  orator  were  recognized,  and  his  field  of 
labor  seemed  to  be  in  the  central  part  of  the  city. 
When  Henry  Ward  Beecher  was  getting  subscriptions 


HABITS  OF  EMINENT  MINISTERS. 


423 


for  his  new  church  he  met  a 'New  York  minister  on 
Union  square,  near  Fourteenth  street.  Stamping  his 
foot  on  the  pavement  he  said  : ‘‘This  is  the  place  for  a 
popular  congregation.  The  mistake  of  my  life  is  I did 
not  begin  my  work  here  instead  of  in  Brooklyn.”  Mr. 
Hepworth  proposed  to  gather  a popular  congregation 
and  preach  to  the  masses.  He  was  advised  by  some  of 
the  wisest  men  in  the  city  to  build  his  church  where 
the  masses  were.  He  bought  lots  near  Union  Square 
in  the  vicinity  of  his  flourishing  congregation  at  Stein- 
way Hall.  Other  councils  prevailed.  He  swung  away 
from  the  church  population  into  the  sparse  but  aristo- 
cratic Madison  avenue.  He  cut  loose  from  the  popular 
sympathy  by  indentifying  himself  with  the  Congrega- 
tional sect.  He  entered  upon  a sea  of  trouble  which 
culminated  in  the  foreclosure  and  sale  of  his  house  of 
worship.  His  serm.ons  are  pleasant  ones,  and  are 
usually  on  popular  themes.  They  are  delivered  from 
a small  card  which  the  preacher  takes  with  him  on  his 
platform,  to  which  he  seldom  refers.  He  is  as  good 
a specimen  of  an  extemporaneous  speaker  as  we  have 
in  New  York.  He  has  a great  hold  on  the  young,  and 
that  element  has  never  been  wanting  in  his  congrega- 
tions. 


424 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


CXL. 

WHEELER  & WILSON  MANUFACTURING 
COMPANY. 

’HE  aristocracy  of  wealth  and  idleness  have 
been  driven  away  from  Union  square.  This 
charmed  locality  has  surrendered  to  the  great 
industries  of  delicate  and  useful  mechanism. 
Prominent  among  the  costly  warerooms  of  the  locality 
stand  the  headquarters  of  the  Wheeler  & Wilson 
Company.  The  building  is  six  stories,  with  forty- 
six  feet  front  and  two  hundred  feet  rear.  The  main 
room  is  rich  and  imj^osing,  ornamented  with  black  wal- 
nut and  ebony,  elaborate  and  tasteful  workmanship. 
The  frescoing  is  violet  and  scarlet,  with  monograms 
of  the  company  everywhere.  Costly  carpets  cover  the 
floors,  and  the  walls  are  adorned  with  mirrors.  Sixteen 
massive  chandeliers  flood  the  room  with  light.  Sew- 
ing-machines of  varied  patterns  are  grouped  together, 
with  sample  work  of  the  most  delicate  embroidery  up 
to  the  heaviest  harness.  • In  erecting  this  costly  build- 
ing, the  company  has  only  re-dedicated  the  fruits  of 
honest  invention  and  honored  toil. 

Allen  S.  Wilson  was  the  inventor  of  the  Wheeler 
& Wilson  sewing-machine.  It  was  designed  for 
domestic  use  and  light  manufacturing.  For  twenty- 
five  years  it  has  been  distinguished  over  all  rivals  for 
perfection  and  beauty  of  stitch,  speed  and  durability, 
with  ease  and  quietness  of  movement.  The  rotary  and 
stationary  bobbin,  and  the  feed-motion  with  the  wheel 
tension  are  entirely  novel.  The  machine  owed  nothing 
to  the  crude  and  heavy  constructions  that  preceded  it. 
The  machine  was  compact  and  elegant  in  model  and 


WHEELER  & WILSON  MANUFACTURING  COMPANY.  425 


llnisli,  simple  and  tliorough  in  construction,  and  rapid 
and  easy  in  movement. 

Mr.  Wilson  was  a genius,  and  an  inventor.  He 
was  a thorough  mechanic,  and  could  reconstruct  any 
machine,  however  complicated,  that  he  handled.  He 
preferred  to  do  a piece  of  work,  rather  than  show  an- 
other how  to  do  it.  He  was  too  nervous  for  a business 
man.  He  needed  a cool  and  resolute  associate  to  make 
his  invention  a success.  He  was  fortunate  enough  to 
find  a man  the  exact  counterpart  of  himself. 

Hatiianiel  Wheeleu  was  a manufacturer,  with 
first-class  business  capacity.  He  had  courage,  sound 
judgment,  and  great  executive  force.  He  had  marked 
simplicity  of  character,  and  was  not  fond  of  show  or 
parade.  He  had  the  exact  business  capacity  needed, 
to  introduce  to  the  public  the  instrument  which  Mr. 
Wilson’s  genius  had  invented.  Underpins  manage- 
ment the  Wilson  Sewing  Machine  Company  is  known 
in  every  part  of  the  globe.  Twenty  years  ago,  when 
Mr.  Wheeler  became  president  of  the  company,  the 
concern  was  a very  humble  one,  and  attracted  but  little 
attention.  The  company  now  has  rolled  to  mammoth 
proportions,  and  manufacture  six  hundred  machines  a 
day,  or  one  a minute  for  every  working  hour.  Besides 
his  fame  as  the  head  of  the  Wheeler  & Wilson  Com- 
pany, he  is  well  known  in  j)ublic  life.  He  has  filled  a 
chair  in  the  Senate,  and  could  have  been  governor  of 
his  State,  would  he  have  accepted  a nomination.  He 
was  appointed  commissioner  to  build  the  State  House 
at  Hartford.  A man  of  few  words,  he  is  affluent  in 
deeds, — public  spirited,  manly  and  fearless.  He  is  not 
ambitious  for  senatorial  or  gubernatorial  honors,  but 
prefers  to  be  known  as  the  imperial  medal  of  Austria 
puts  it, — as  The  Founder  and  Builder  of  the  Sewing- 
Machine  Industry.” 


42G 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


One  great  service  rendered  by  Mr.  Wheeler  to  tlie 
sewing-machine  industry,  was  the  skill  and  good  judg- 
ment displayed  in  putting  an  end  to  litigation.  The 
inventions  and  claims  were  so  valuable,  that  litigation 
seemed  to  be  inevitable,  and  promised  to  be  intermina- 
ble. Amid  fierce  and  zealous  claims,  Mr.  Wheeler 
effected  a compromise.  Yielding  nothing  in  regard  to 
his  own  machine,  he  effected  a combination  of  interests 
that  took  the  controversy  out  of  the  courts. 

At  the  start,  the  company  resolved  not  to  send  out 
a machine  that  was  not  perfect.  The  excellence  and 
elegance  of  the  machines  are  everywhere  conceded. 
They  have  led  in  the  exhibitions  of  Paris,  London,  and 
in  all  parts  of  the  world.  One-fourth  of  the  machines 
constructed  are  made  for  the  foreign  market,  and  are 
distributed  over  the  civilized  world.  It  is  the  popular 
machine  for  schools  of  industry  and  instruction.  It  is 
a household  necessity,  with  millions  of  purchasers. 

The  Wheeler  & Wilson  machine  has  revolution- 
ized the  homes  of  the  land.  It  has  emancipated  woman 
from  The  burden  of  the  wardrobe  and  the  slavery  of 
the  needle.  Through  its  agency,  mothers  are  lifted 
from  being  bondwomen,  and  have  time  for  culture  and 
elegance.  It  furnishes  remunerative  and  attractive 
employment  to  thousands.  The  perfect  machine  con- 
stituted the  chief  inventive  glory  of  the  Centennial 
year,  and  has  extended  the  American  name  with  honor 
throughout  the  civilized  world. 


W JENN1N&5  DEM0RE5T  & MME  DEMOREST 


W,  JENNINGS  DEM0RE8T  AND  MME.  DEMOREST.  427 


CXLI. 

♦ 

W.  JEXmXGS  DEMOREST  AND  MME. 
DEMOREST. 

HE  house  of  the  Demorests  is  famous  in 
all  the  world.  It  is  a good  illustration  of 
American  industry  and  enterprise.  Mr. 
Demorest  appeared  as  a journalist.  He 
edited  the  New  York  Illustrated  News^  including  the 
German  edition.  He  edited  a weekly  comic  paper,  and 
also  a paper  for  children.  These  periodicals  were  con- 
ducted with  marked  ability,  and  the  editor  made  a 
great  success  of  these  papers.  At  the  same  time  Mme. 
Demorest  published  a quarterly  magazine  which 
reached  a circulation  of  fifty  thousand  copies.  Mr. 
Demorest  saw  a wide  field  before  him  with  a promise 
of  a great  journalistic  triumph.  He  merged  the  News 
and  Mme.  Demorest’ s Quarterly  into  a monthly  maga- 
zine. This  magazine  has  now  a national  and  world- 
wide circulation.  It  is  the  parlor  and  fashionable 
magazine  of  the  age,  with  a subscription  list  of  nearly 
fifty  thousand.  Its  success  and  triumph  are  un- 
paralleled in  the  history  of  American  journalism. 

The  Demorests  are  the  founders  and  representa- 
tives of  the  Pattern  trade.  From  a small  beginning  it 
has  grown  into  immense  proportions.  The  house  has 
agencies  in  all  parts  of  the  civilized  world.  The 
elegance,  accuracy  and  cheapness  of  the  patterns,  has 
worked  a revolution  in  society,  quite  as  complete  and 
beneficent  as  the  sewing-machine  or  the  piano.  The 
X)atterns  find  their  way  into  the  most  elegant  houses  of 
the  city,  and  carry  the  latest  styles  into  the  cottages  of 
the  humble.  The  saloons  of  Mme.  Demorest  are  patron- 


428 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


ized  by  the  leaders  of  society.  They  introduce  the 
latest  fashions  of  Paris  and  Vienna  to  the  damsels  on 
the  prairie,  and  the  maidens  in  the  wilds  of  Arizona. 

Mr.  Demorest  brought  great  business  tact  and  rare 
experience  to  the  great  business  with  which  his  name 
is  identified.  He  was  placed  in  a store  at  an  early  age, 
but  his  heart  was  in  study  and  not  in  trade.  He  was  a 
student  under  an  eminent  tutor,  and  had  thoughts  of 
the  ministry.  He  attempted  to  run  both  his  studies 
and  his  merchandise.  His  employer  informed  the  stu- 
dious lad  that  he  must  abandon  either  his  books  or  the 
store.  The  young  man  turned  sorrowfully  away  to 
merchandise.  He  became  an  expert  in  trade.  At  one 
time  he  was  in  dry-goods,  then  in  the  manufacture  of 
cloaks,  then  the  millinery  business  engaged  his  atten- 
tion ; finally,  he  was  a trader  in  wholesale  clothing. 
His  practical  acquaintance  with  dry-goods  and  dresses 
gave  him  that  large  experience  and  that  consummate 
skill  to  found  and  carry  on  the  heavy  trade  which 
makes  his  house  so  famous.  He  introduced  the  sys- 
tem of  dress-cutting  that  grew  into  dress-patterns. 
Economy  suggested  paper  because  it  was  inexpensive. 
Twenty-five  years  were  consumed  in  building  up  the 
Pattern  business  to  its  present  gigantic  proportions. 

Mr.  Demorest  had  a fine  literary  training.  He  had 
also  great  mechanical  ingenuity,  that  he  brought  to  his 
business.  He  has  invented  and  secured  many  valua- 
ble patents,  of  which  his  customers  have  the  benefit. 
He  has  kept  up  his  interest  in  the  religious  work  of 
the  age.  He  was  a member  of  the  famous  Tabernacle 
choir,  and  secretary  of  the  Missionary  Association  of 
the  Spring  Street  Church.  Besides  conducting  his  own 
immense  business,  he  has  time  to  look  after  one  of  the 
great  printing  establishments  of  the  metropolis.  He 
is  equal  owner  of  the  immense  printing  house  of  J.  J. 
Little  & Co.,  in  Astor  place.  In  all  these  years,  he  has 


W.  JENNINGS  DEM  ORE  ST  AND  MME.  DEMOREST.  429 


passed  tliroiigh.  the  vicissitudes  of  trade,  he  has  won 
in  every  struggle.  He  is  worth  to-day  a quarter  of  a 
million,  the  fruit  of  honest  industry  and  enterprise. 

Mme.  Hemorest  is  distinguished  in  her  department. 
She  is  one  of  the  best-known  ladies  in  America.  She 
is  the  acknowledged  leader  of  fashions  in  this  country, 
and  in  Europe.  Stylish  in  dress,  faultless  in  taste, 
she  exhibits  her  artistic  ability,  as  really  as  Lawrence 
with  his  pencil,  Chantrey  with  his  chisel,  or  Liszt  with 
his  mystic  touch.  Twice  a year  the  saloons  of  the 
house  on  Fourteenth  street  are  thrown  o^jen,  and 
crowded  by  the  elite  of  the  city.  The  artist  herself, 
amid  her  stylish  and  showy  goods,  is  worth  looking  at. 
A lady,  tall,  slim,  with  a graceful  and  queenly  bearing  ; 
tresses  black  as  a raven’s  ; eyes  dark,  and  sparkling 
like  diamonds,  with  complexion  reminding  one  of  an 
Italian  countess,  her  robe  simple  and  elegant,  she 
would  be  distinguished  anywhere,  and  pronounced  the 
best-dressed  lady  in  the  room. 

She  had  a great  passion  for  millinery  when  a girl. 
Her  mother,  wiser  than  most  women,  did  not  thwart 
her  inclination.  She  gave  her  the  means  and  allowed 
her  to  perfect  herself  under  the  best  artists.  Dress- 
making was  added  to  millinery,  and  came  of  itself.  The 
young  artist  displayed  exquisite  taste,  and  was  dis- 
tinguished for  the  elegance  and  tit  of  the  garments  that 
left  her  establishment. 

Madame  took  an  early  and  sincere  interest  in  wo- 
man’s work  and  woman’s  elevation.  Her  desire  was 
to  secure  an  elegant  and  remunerative  business  for  girls. 
She  gave  them  a substantial  help.  She  said  little  at 
conventions  or  on  platforms.  She  gave  employment  to 
respectable  colored  girls,  though  some  were  offended 
that  negroes  should  be  employed  in  an  elegant  house. 
To  this  cause  she  contributed  all  she  had, — eloquence  of 
speech,  talent  and  vigor  of  pen,  with  great  executive 


430 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


force.  To  these  gifts  were  added  of  her  own  earnings 
to  elevate  deserving  women  to  positions  in  which  they 
could  help  themselves. 

In  the  fashionable  world  Madame  Demores t stands 
without  a rival.  At  every  exhibition  she  has  led  against 
the  world.  She  has  won  more  prizes,  taken  more  med- 
als, and  been  voted  more  diplomas  than  any  living 
woman.  She  bore  away  the  palm  at  the  Mechanic’s 
Institute,  Maryland  ; the  New  York  State  Fair  ; at  the 
World’s  Fair;  at  the  Crystal  Palace,  and  at  the  Cen- 
tennial, in  Philadelijhia.  She  has  secured  numerous 
patents,  received  twenty-five  diplomas,  and  three  silver 
medals. 

The  paper  pattern  business  is  simply  gigantic.  The 
patterns  are  elegant  and  inexpensive,  and  place  the  lat- 
est fashions  in  the  humblest  homes.  The  business  in 
itself  wonderful.  The  envelopes  that  contain  the 
l^atterns  are  struck  off  two  millions  at  a time.  These 
are  sent  over  the  land,  over  the  sea,  and  over  the 
world.  The  tissue  paper  for  trimmings,  which  repre- 
sents colors,  is  imjjortedin  large  quantities  from  Europe. 
The  thin,  tough  paper,  from  which  the  patterns  are 
cut,  is  made  expressly  for  the  house  ; it  comes  in  mam- 
moth sheets,  large  as  a carpet,  and  is  turned  into  the 
warerooms  by  the  ton.  The  headquarters  are  the  large 
mansion  on  Fourteenth  street,  occupied  from  cellar  to 
attic.  At  times  two  hundred  employees  are  demanded 
by  the  exigencies  of  the  business.  Curiously-devised 
machinery  has  reduced  the  force  and  lessened  the  ex- 
pense of  manufacture. 

The  house  has  fifteen  hundred  agencies  located  in 
every  principal  American  city.  Beside  these  thei’e  are 
agencies  in  Havana,  South  America,  the  Sandwich 
Islands  and  the  Islands  of  the  Sea.  The  Demorest 
patterns  are  sold  on  the  Boulevards  of  Paris,  and  on 
the  Strand  in  London.  A recent  order  left  for  London 


LITERATURE  A BUSINESS. 


431 


amounting  to  £500.  The  house  buys  its  elephantine 
paper  by  five  thousand  reams  at  a time  ; the  annual 
cost  for  printing  is  a hundred  thousand  dollars  ; the 
cost  for  advertising  is  as  much  more.  Seven  hundred 
letters  containing  orders  with  money  reach  the  office  in 
a day. 

Mme.  Demorest  is  distinguished  for  her  domestic 
virtues  as  she  is  for  her  executive  ability  and  artistic 
taste.  Her  four  children  are  representatives  in  their 
line  of  life.  Yinna  is  distinguished  for  her  musical 
ability,  her  voice  and  artistic  power.  Henry  is  a rheto- 
rician and  an  elocutionist  of  a high  order.  He  also 
exhibits  marked  business  ability.  The  younger  chil- 
dren possess  great  intelligence  and  are  full  of  xiromise. 

The  x)opularity  and  success  of  this  house  show  that 
tact,  intelligence,  ability  and  endurance  will  win ; and 
teach  those  win  Fortune  who  chase  the  coy  damsel 
through  her  chosen  retreats,  and  do  not  tire  in  the 
race. 


CXLII. 

LITERATURE  A BUSINESS. 

EN  are  as  much  of  a failure  who  live  by  the 
brain  as  are  men  who  live  by  the  muscles. 
The  standard  of  success  is  as  low  in  litera- 
ture as  it  is  in  merchandise  or  mechanism. 
Men  celebrated  in  poetry  and  song,  in  history  and  the 
fine  arts,  in  romance  and  the  sciences,  have  a measured 
success.  Few  hold  on  to  the  end  with  permanent  re- 
nown. The  same  great  lesson  of  failure  is  taught  in 
the  professions  that  is  taught  in  trade.  Running 


432 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


tlirongli  the  life  of  man  is' a vein  that  brings  a cloud 
over  the  bright  horizon,  and  sends  down  many  a ‘‘sun 
while  it  is  yet  day.”  One  of  the  saddest  books  in  the 
language  is  “The  Infirmities  of  Genius.”  Those  who 
think  that  the  path  of  learning  is  without  thorns,  or 
would  like  to  know  what  those  suffer  who  earn  a year 
or  two  of  popularity  by  the  pen,  would  do  well  to  be- 
hold the  skeleton  that  is  hidden  in  every  scholar’s 
closet.  They  will  find  that  it  is  not  the  “undevout 
astronomer,”  but  the  author,  that  is  mad. 

CiiAUCEK  has  the  honor  of  reviving  literature.  He 
was  born  in  London  in  1328,  seven  years  after  Dante 
died,  four  years  after  Wicklifif’s  death,  and  he  knew 
Petrarch.  He  was  purely  a man  of  the  world — a man 
of  marvelous  industrj^.  He  was  a favorite  at  court,  and 
was  found  in  the  retinue  of  kings.  He  was  a soldier, 
a courtier,  a diplomatist,  and  basked  for  a brief  day  in 
the  sunshine  of  royal  favor.  Then  the  dark  column  was 
turned.  He  exchanged  the  palace  for  a prison,  and  the 
favor  of  sovereigns  for  the  frown  of  the  Lord  of  the 
Tower. 

SiDT^EY  was  a brilliant  ornament  of  the  Elizabethan 
era.  Her  Majesty  would  not  allow  him  to  accept  the 
throne  of  Poland,  as  she  could  not  part  with  “ the 
jewel  of  her  court.”  He  had  all  the  elements  of  a gay 
and  brilliant  career — a painter’s  eye  and  a poet’s 
fancy.  He  was  elegant  in  person,  conrely  and  refined 
in  manners.  On  the  battlefield  he  was  bravery  i)erson- 
ified.  When  he  lay  mortally  wounded,  he  grace- 
fully waved  away  a cup  of  water  that  a dying  soldier 
might  drink. 


Spencer  was  born  in  London.  He  was  introduced  to 
court  life  by  Sir  Philip  Sidney.  Under  the  ances- 


LITERATURE  A BUSINESS. 


433 


tral  tree  of  Penhurst,  the  home  of  Sir  Philip,  the 
poet  passed  the  happiest  years  of  his  life.  He  made 
the  acquaintance  of  Leicester,  Elizabeth’s  favorite,  and 
came  under  the  notice  of  his  royal  mistress.  He  joined 
the  courtiers  of  the  maiden  queen,  and  exchanged  hap- 
piness for  a chain  of  gold.  He  early  knew  that  “hope 
deferred  which  maketh  the  heart  sick.”  He  describes 
the  mortification,  torment  and  ingratitude  to  which  he 
was  subject : 

“ Full  little  knowest  thou,  who  has  not  tried 

What  hell  it  is  in  suing  long  to  bide; 

To  lose  good  days  that  might  be  better  spent; 

To  waste  long  nights  in  pensive  discontent; 

To  spend  to-day,  and  be  put  back  to-morrow.; 

To  feed  on  hope,  pine  with  fear  and  sorrow; 

To  have  the  Princess’  grace,  yet  want  her  peers' ; 

To  have  thy  asking,  yet  wait  many  years ; 

To  fret  thy  soul  with  sorrows  and  with  cares; 

To  eat  thy  bread  in  comfortless  despair; 

To  fawn,  to  crouch,  to  wait,  to  ride,  to  run ; 

To  spend,  to  give,  to  wait — to  be  undone.” 

Spencer  was  banished  to  Ireland  under  the  plea  of 
court  favor.  He  became  involved  in  the  Ulster  rebel- 
lion. He  fled  from  the  burning  Castle  of  Kilcolman, 
leaving  a child  to  be  consumed  in  the  fire.  He  re- 
turned to  London  a ruined  and  broken-hearted  man. 
He  died  in  poverty  and  disgrace  at  the  age  of  forty-six 
years. 

Bacon  was  born  in  London  in  1561.  His  father 
was  one  of  the  most  eminent  lawyers  of  his  time.  The 
bo}^  was  precocious,  and  had  an  early  longing  for  state 
preferment.  He  even  asked  a position  of  the  lordly 
Burleigh,  and  was  denied.  He  endured  every  species 
humiliation,  to  gain  the  favor  of  men  in  power.  When 
advanced  he  soiled  his  ermine  to  stand  well  with  the* 
eminent.  When  the  measure  of  his  ambition  was  full 


28 


434 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


and  lie  became  the  Viscount  of  St.  Albans,  he  was 
called  to  the  Bar  of  the  House  of  Lords  to  be  de- 
graded. 


Shakespeaee  was  an  idle  young  man,  and  riotous 
after  his  order.  He  had  an  imperfect  education,  but 
he  must  have  read  much,  and  read  constantly.  His 
plays  show  that  he  had  an  intimate  acquaintance  with 
the  Bible  and  with  history.  As  a play-actor,  a man- 
ager, and  an  author  he  made  the  most  of  his  advant- 
ages. He  held  horses  for  the  players  when  he  could 
do  no  better.  He  finally  made  a position  for  himself, 
and  entered  the  door  his  own  genius  had  opened.  He 
early  joined  a band  of  strolling  actors,  and  made  acting 
a business.  He  wrote  twenty-seven  plays  ; laid  up  a 
little  money ; built  him  a dwelling  at  Stratford-on- 
Avon  near  his  birth-place,  and  died  in  dignified  retire- 
ment in  the  fifty-second  year  of  his  age. 

BEit  JoNSOit  was  born  ten  years  after  Shakespeare. 
He  was  educated  at  Cambridge,  and  chose  literature 
as  a profession.  He  failed  as  an  actor,  but  became  one 
of  the  most  brilliant  writers  of  his  age.  He  carved  out 
a new  path  for  himself,  and  in  it,  attained  the  highest 
repute.  Personally  he  was  rude,  slovenly  and  ungra- 
cious— arrogant  and  intemperate.  He  lived  mainly  by 
the  patronage  of  the  great.  He  called  one  day  at  a 
nobleman’s  door  who  had  expressed  himself  inclined  to 
become  a patron  to  a forthcoming  work.  Instead  of 
sending  in  his  card  he  bounced  through  the  open  door 
into  the  presence  of  the  nobleman.  Who  are  you 
said  the  astonished  lord.  ‘‘  I am  Ben  Jonson.”  Ben 
Jonson  ! You  don’t  look  as  if  you  could  say  Boo  to 
a goose  !”  “Boo!”  said  the  poet  to  his  face.  “Sit 
down,”  was  the  response.  “ You  are  Ben  Jonson.” 


LITERA  TUBE  A B U8INE88. 


435 


The  personal  traits  of  Jonson  turned  his  talents 
against  him,  and  at  sixty-three  he  died  in  poverty. 

Hooker  was  an  eminent  churchman.  He  took  his 
first  step  in  preferment  by  obtaining  the  tutorship  of 
the  Bishop  of  Salsbury’s  son.  Like  other  eminent 
men,  he  marred  his  fortunes  by  an  imprudent  marriage. 
His  wife  was  not  only  a ‘‘silly,  clownish  woman,”  but 
a regular  Xantippe.  His  eminence  produced  such 
bitter  persecution,  that  he  begged  the  bishop  to  allow 
him  to  retire  to  “some  quiet  parsonage  where. he  could 
eat  his  bread  in  peace  and  privacy.” 

Bishop  Taylor  struggled  through  adverse  in- 
fluences to  the  bench  of  bishops.  His  first  step  was  an 
accidental  one.  He  Avas  in  the  right  place  at  the  right 
time.  There  was  a sudden  vacancy  in  the  jmlpit  of 
St.  Paul’s  Cathedral.  His  youth,  his  beauty,  and  his 
intelligence,  captivated  the  metropolis.  In  the  revolu- 
tion he  was  a staunch  royalist,  and  Avas  tossed  on  the 
sea  of  revolution.  The  army  of  Parliament  j)ut  him 
into  prison.  On  his  release  he  retired  to  the  seclusion 
of  Wales.  That  profligate  monarch,  Charles  II.,  in  his 
prosperity,  forgot  the  preacher  who  suffered  so  much 
on  his  behalf.  Tardy  honors  were  conferred  upon  him. 
He  AAms  made  bishop  of  Down  and  Conner,  a short  time 
before  his  death. 

Butler,  the  author  of  Hudibras,  proposed  in  that 
famous  poem,  to  lampoon  both  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  the  Puritan  party.  He  became  a courtier 
and  shared  the  fate  of  most  men  who  consecrate  their 
life  to  the  service  of  jjrinces.  When  he  could  be  used 
no  longer  he  was  turned  adrift  in  poverty  and  neglect. 
He  died  in  squalid  lodgings  in  London  without  money 
enough  to  pay  for  his  funeral. 


436 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Deyden,  the  son  of  a poet,  had  a brilliant  career. 
He  became  the  most  popular  poet  of  the  age.  He  harl 
a royal  revenue,  was  poet  laureate  and  histographer  to 
the  king.  He  became  a convert  to  Homanism  and 
vigorously  defended  his  new  faith.  He  raised  up 
strong  foes  among  eminent  men,  who  embittered  his 
life.  He  lost  his  office  and  his  revenues.  He  closed 
his  life  in  unremitting  toil,  dying  in  poverty. 

Claeendon  inherited  a fortune,  and  entered  Parlia- 
ment when  young  man.  He  was  a moderate  man  amid 
extremists.  He  kept  out  of  England  in  troublesome 
times,  but  held  his  grip  on  the  king.  At  the  restora- 
tion he  was  made  lord  chancellor.  The  elements 
which  secured  his  rise  contributed  to  his  downfall. 
His  purity,  moderation  and  economy,  v/ere  a rebuke  to 
his  associates.  They  conspired  against  him.  The  great 
seal  was  taken  from  him.  The  king,  whom  he  had 
served  so  well,  turned  against  him,  and  he  died  in 
exile  in  1674. 

MiLTOTf  was  a child  of  the  aristocracy.  The  great 
epic  poet  of  the  world,  he  espoused  the  plebeian  side. 
He  made  an  unsuitable  match,  and  his  married  life  was 
an  unhappy  one.  He  had  ample  warning  that  his 
sight  was  failing.  His  father,  in  extreme  old  age,  could 
read  without  glasses.  His  mother  had  weak  eyes,  and 
Milton  inherited  from  her  that  fatal  tendency  that  cul- 
minated in  blindness.  While  writing  his  great  politi- 
cal work  in  defense  of  the  Commonwealth,  his  sight 
began  to  fail.  He  refused  to  pause  in  his  work,  and 
paid  the  bitter  penalty  for  his  rashness. 

Bunyaist,  the  tinker,  employed  his  time  in  Bedford 
jail  in  making  tagged  laces,”  and  in  writing  his  im- 
mortal allegory.  He  drew  his  metaphors  from  the 


LITERATURE  A BUSINESS. 


437 


Bible  and  from  his  own  spiritual  career.  His  style  was 
coarse,  homespun,  never  vulgar,  and  always  popular. 
In  boyhood  he  was  profligate  and  wicked,  and  without 
education.  His  twelve  years’  imprisonment  worked 
wonders  for  him.  He  graduated  an  eloquent  and  fervid 
preacher  ; an  author  of  enduring  reputation.  His 
career  proves  that  a man  of  parts  and  pluck  can  carve 
his  way  to  fame  in  defiance  of  the  most  adverse  and 
desperate  surroundings. 

Swift,  Dean  of  St.  Patrick’s,  was  a man  of  splendid 
talent.  He  inherited  wit  and  the  facility  for  composi- 
tion. His  gifts  ought  to  have  made  him  the  most  emi- 
nent Englishman  of  his  time.  They  were  overborne  by 
a nature  selfish,  heartless  and  unloving.  His  cruel 
treatment  of  Yarnessa  and  Stella,  two  girls  who  con- 
fided their  all  to  him,  have  consigned  him  to  perpetual 
infamy.  He  had  an  intense  longing  for  Church  prefer- 
ment with  great  expectations.  His  conduct  and  writ- 
ings hedged  up  his  way.  The  queen  would  not  con- 
sent to  put  a bishop’s  crook  into  the  hands  of  a man 
who  wrote  the  ‘‘Tale  of  a Tub.”  His  bitterest  foe 
could  not  have  wished  him  an  end  more  sad.  He  be- 
came the  victim  of  giddiness  in  his  head,  created  by 
eating  one  hundred  pippins  at  a meal.  He  was  a 
hypochondriac,  was  prematurely  deaf,  and  predicted  he 
would  die  like  a tree  struck  with  lightning  at  the  top, 
or  like  a poisoned  rat  in  a hole.  He  died  a sufferer 
both  in  body  and  in  mind. 

Addison  was  born  to  a fortune.  He  was  elegant 
and  courtly  in  his  manners.  His  ill-assorted  marriage 
to  the  Countess  of  Warwick  blighted  his  life.  He  had 
no  capacity  for  business,  and  failed  as  Secretary  of 
State.  Walpole  says  he  died  under  the  influence  of 
brandy,  and  could  not,  as  tradition  asserts,  have  said 


438 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS 


to  the  young  Earl  of  Warwick  : ‘‘  Behold  how  a Chris- 
tian can  die !” 


Sam  J OHi^soi^  was  poor  and  ambitious.  Conscious 
of  power,  while  penniless  he  launched  himself  on 
London  society  to  win  bread  and  fame.  He  made 
literature  a trade,  and  it  afforded  him  for  years  a pre- 
carious and  suffering  career.  Everything  was  against 
him  ; he  inherited  the  scrofula  ; was  awkward  and  un- 
gainly in  his  person  ; was  constitutionally  a hypochon- 
driac ; ‘‘  mad  half  his  life,”  and  one  of  the  lowest  grubs 
in  Grub  street.  He  overcame  all  obstacles  and  became 
the  autocrat  of  the  press. 

Steene  was  a bad  husband,  and  a bad  priest.'  His 
life,  with  that  of  Churchill,  Swift,  and  Goldsmith, 
shows  how  degraded  a calling  that  of  a clergyman  is, 
whose  heart  is  not  in  his  work.  Swift  lived  on  bad 
terms  with  his  wife,  in  perpetual  squabbles  with  his 
brother  clergymen,  and  was  always  in  an  angry  contro- 
versy with  the  government  and  men  of  letters.  He 
drew  tears  from  men  and  women,  by  his  pathetic  de- 
scription of  a ‘‘dying  mule,”  while  at  the  same  time 
he  was  neglecting  a living  mother.  His  health  gave 
way  under  his  dissipation  in  London,  while  superin- 
tending his  “ Sentimental  Journey.” 

Goldsmith  tried  his  hand  at  everything, — poet, 
author,  novelist,  strolling  musician,  doctor,  and  priest. 
He  went  to  take  orders  in  red  plush  breeches.  When 
asked  by  the  bishop  if  he  could  subscribe  to  the 
thirty-nine  articles,  he  promptly  replied:  “Forty,  if 
your  reverence  xjleases.”  He  lived  a vagabond  life, 
and  it  was  feast  or  famine  with  him  from  day  to  day. 
One  day  he  dined  with  a lord  in  velvets  and  laces,  the 
next,  he  ate  from  a bulkhead,  clothed  in  rags.  His 


LITERATURE  A BUSINESS. 


439 


gay  associates  deserted  him  in  a garret,  in  which  he 
breathed  his  last.  He  was  in  debt ; chased  by  baililfs  ; 
oppressed  by  fears  of  tlie  future;  ‘411  at  ease  in  his 
own  mind,”  and  wept  over  by  the  old  charwoman,  to 
whom  he  had  been  kind. 

He  Foe  wrote  two  hundred  and  ten  works.  Pos- 
terity will  honor  him  as  the  author  of  ‘ ‘ Hobinson  Cru- 
soe. ’ ’ He  was  a bold  and  plucky  man.  He  was  burdened 
with  fines  ; was  imprisoned  in  Newgate  for  writing  in 
favor  of  freedom  ; and  wrote  “Robinson  Crusoe”  late 
in  life,  while  suffering  from  physical  infirmities  that 
made  him  a cripple.  Could  the  critics  have  had  their 
way,  the  story  would  have  been  burned.  He  Foe  was 
cautioned,  if  he  had  any  regard  for  his  fame,  to  throw 
“Robinson  Crusoe”  into  the  fire. 

FiELDiNa  had  a noble  ancestry.  His  father,  a gay 
and  dissipated  man,  squandered  the  family  estate.  The 
son  gained  a scanty  subsistence  by  his  pen.  He  had 
admirable  spirits,  and  showed  wit  and  vivacity,  while 
starving  in  a garret.  His  life  was  irregular  and  dissi- 
pated, and  he  ended  his  career  before  he  was  fifty  years 
of  age. 

Richaedsois’  was  a distinguished  trader.  He  made 
literature  a pastime.  From  a printer  he  graduated 
into  a bookseller.  He  became  the  king’s  printer  and 
amassed  a fortune.  At  fifty  he  began  to  write,  and 
became  eminent  as  an  author  of  fiction.  He  aided  Hr. 
Johnson  in  his  affliction,  and  did  much  to  help  the 
sage  emerge  from  his  obscurity  and  poverty. 

ft 

Smollett  came  from  Glasgow,  where  he  was  an  ap- 
prentice to  an  apothecary.  He  was  poor,  friendless,  raw 
and  uncouth.  He  sent  out  his  first  work  when  he  was 


440 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS, 


nineteen  years  of  age,  and  tlie  publication  was  a failure. 
With  a bitter,  virulent  temper  he  made  himself  felt  as 
a political  pamphleteer.  He  had  clear  grit,  kept 
steady  to  his  work,  and  had  the  honor  to  be  fined  and 
imprisoned  on  several  occasions.  As  a historian  he 
became  a success,  and  died  at  the  early  age  of  thirty- 
three  years. 

# 

Chatteeton  began  his  marvelous  career  when  at 
fourteen,  as  an  apprentice  to  an  attorney.  He  was 
the  uneducated  son  of  a Bristol  grave-digger.  He  pro- 
duced poetry  in  the  style  of  the  fifteenth  century,  and 
deceived  Grey,  Walpole  and  Mason.  Had  he  lived,  he 
would  have  been  the  great  poet  of  the  age.  He  came 
to  London  to  live  by  his  pen  and  sank  into  the  depths 
of  poverty.  He  died  at  eighteen,  from  poison  ad- 
ministered by  himself,  in  a miserable  garret,  in  an 
obscure  lane  of  the  metropolis.  His  form,  in  the  garb 
of  a charity  scholar,  chiseled  in  stone,  occupies  a 
prominent  place  on  a column  in  his  native  city  of 
Bristol. 

CowPEE  was  fifty  years  old  before  he  had  any  re- 
pute as  a writer.  He  had  a tinge  of  madness  in  his 
nature,  and  his  excessive  timidity  was  allied  to  insan- 
ity. He  turned  his  attention  to  literature  to  divert  his 
attention  from  his  malady.  His  most  impressive  and 
popular  hymn  was  written  after  he  had  attempted  to 
take  his  life.  His  earlier  works  involved  him  in  pecu- 
niary ruin.  Out  of  gratitude  to  his  publishers  Cowper 
wrote  his  Task,”  and  passed  out  of  his  hand  the  only 
work  that  would  have  yielded  him  a fortune. 


I 


liy  A.xiTatcl^'®  ■ 


EAL8ET  WING  KNAPP,  D.D. 


441 


CXLIIL 

HALSEY  WING  KNAPP,  D.D. 

R.  KNAPP  is  one  of  the  remarkable  men  of 
New  York.  He  is  a first- class  business  man 
and  a talented  and  po^jular  preacher.  No 
merchant  in  New  York  is  better  known,  and 
he  leads  in  his  department  -of  trade  in  Washington 
Market.  He  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  Octo- 
ber, 1824.  He  studied  in  the  Suflield  Literary  Insti- 
tute for  the  purpose  of  entering  Yale  College.  His 
father  was  not  rich,  and  he  refused  the  boon  of  a col- 
legiate education,  as  the  expense  would  entail  a posi- 
tive burden  upon  the  family.  He  saw  that  he  had  his 
own  way  in  life  to  win,  and  he  looked  around  for  some- 
thing to  do.  He  obtained  a position  in  the  publishing 
house  of  T.  Robins,  of  Hartford.  He  saw  that  a man 
without  capital  had  small  chance  of  success.  He  re- 
solved to  go  to  sea  both  to  earn  money  and  earn  pro- 
motion. He  made  two  voyages  around  the  globe  and 
obtained  what  he  sought.  He  visited  Asia,  Africa, 
China,  the  islands  of  the  sea,  and  came  home  at  twenty- 
one  mate  of  a ship. 

He  took  to  trade  in  1846,  and  was  bookkeeper  in 
Washington  Market.  His  salary  was  twenty-five  hun- 
dred dollars  a year.  His  vigor,  intenseness  and  capa- 
city won  him  a front  rank.  In  one  year  he  became 
partner  in  the  house.  The  great  revival  of  1857  changed 
his  entire  career.  He  was  leading  a fast  life.  He  was 
impulsive,  energetic,  convivial,  and  fond  of  jovial  com- 
pany. He  was  popular  among  the  Masons,  and  an  en- 
thusiast in  military  affairs.  The  revival  changed  his 
life  in  an  hour.  Speaking  was.  not  among  his  gifts, 


442 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


and  he  had  never  displayed  any  talents  as  an  orator. 
On  his  conversion  the  talent  of  speech  developed  itself. 
Within  one  week  after  his  religious  life  began,  he  was 
preaching  with  acceptance  and  fervor. 

Mr.  Knapj)  was  favored  with  a remarkably  rugged 
constitution.  In  all  his  ocean  life,  sailing  from  sixty 
degrees  North,  to  sixty  degrees  South  latitude,  and 
all  the  degrees  of  longitude,  he  never  was  kept  from 
his  duties  a day,  and  never  was  sick  an  hour  in  his  life. 
During  nineteen  years  of  pulpit  service  Mr.  Knapp  has 
never  spent  one  dollar  of  salary  on  himself  or  family. 
His  entire  income  as  a preacher,  with  marriage  fees, 
donations  and  perquisites,  have  been  given  to  the  cause 
of  religion.  He  made  a vow  on  the  threshold  of  his 
ministry,  that  while  he  continued  in  business,  he 
would  never  spend  on  cent  on  himself  or  his  household 
that  was  not  earned  in  trade. 

During  his  entire  ministry  he  has  lived  in  a per- 
petual revival  of  religion.  The  churches  have  called 
him  up  the  river,  and  down  the  river,  and  on  the  island 
to  assist  in  revival  work.  Few  men  could  have  endured 
the  pressure  laid  upon  Mr.  Knapp.  He  does  business 
through  the  day  in  the  market ; preaching  every  night 
in  the  week  ; traveling  nights  to  keep  his  appointments  ; 
accepting  no  gratuity  from  the  churches,  and  always 
paying  his  own  traveling  expenses.  When  a poor 
church  is  desirous  of  a series  of  services,  Mr.  Knapp 
not  only  gives  his  own  labors,  but  sees  to  it  that  the 
ill-paid  pastor  is  not  burdened.  His  coming  is  her- 
alded by  a car-load  of  provisions — two  or  three  sheep — 
crates  of  turkeys — with  provisions  enough  to  make  the 
parsonage  glad  for  a month.  To  the  astonished  minis- 
ter he  says,  “You  take  after  the  Lord’s  work,  I’ll 
look  after  our  physical  wants.”  He  gives  a poor 
church  a lift.  Gives  a dilapidated  one  paint.’  Helps 
to  pay  the  salary  that  comes  hard.  In  a single  year. 


HALSEY  WIHG  KNAPP,  D.D. 


443 


Mr.  Knapp  lias  given  to  some  churches,  the  round  sum 
of  ten  thousand  dollars. 

Amid  these  religious  labors,  trade  is  kept  going. 
Mr.  Knapp’s  motto,  is  : “ ISTot  slothful  in  business,  fer- 
vent in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord.”  Doing  a large  por- 
tion of  the  year’s  business,  he  aided  his  salesmen,  and 
was  his  own  bookkeeper  and  financier.  When  jiartners 
were  needed,  he  was  remarkably  successful  in  his 
selection.  He  systematized  his  business,  could  go  out 
and  engage  in  revival  work,  keep  hold  of  trade  by  let- 
ters and  telegrams,  return  at  the  close  of  the  week, 
and  make  everything  all  right.  Mr.  Knapp  was  or- 
dained to  the  gospel  ministry  in  1859.  The  council 
that  ordained  him  was  a distinguished  one,  composed 
of  every  Bajptist  church  in  the  city  of  New  York. 
Tbe  preacher  was  the  eloquent  orator,  Hev.  William 
Hague.  Few  men  have  had  as  many  calls  extended  to 
them  from  important  churches  as  Mr.  Knapx-).  Every 
settlement,  has  been  a success.  He  never  staid  so  long 
but  that  the  church  wished  him  to  remain  longer.  He 
never  resigned,  but  under  the  protest  of  the  people. 
He  never  left  a society,  but  it  was  anxious  he  should 
resume  the  place.  Eloquent,  magnetic,  and  impressive 
as  a preacher,  he  has  marked  dramatic  talent.  He  is 
universally  popular  in  his  denomination.  He  moves 
under  the  divine  guidance,  in  which  he  firmly  believes. 
He  declines  an  imxoortant  call ; his  friends  are  aston- 
ished. ‘‘Ido  not  see  the  divine  approval,”  he  says. 
He  leaves  the  field  where  he  is  abundantly  blessed ; 
people  wonder;  the  unanswerable  reason  is:  “God 
gave  the  order  ; I go  where  God  leads  the  way  ; I never 
leave,  unless  God  orders  it.”  Salary,  position,  a pop- 
ular x)arish,  and  social  infiuence,  are  nothing  to  a man, 
when  he  finds  it,  and  gives  to  the  cause  all  he  earns  in 
that  work. 

Mr.  Knaj)p  possesses  rare  and  valuable  combina- 


444 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


tions.  He  can  manage  a large  business  and  a large 
church  at  the  same  time.  His  hours  of  business  are 
unusual,  and  are  peculiarly  fitted  to  his  style  of  life. 
His  trade  begins  at  two  o’  clock  in  the  morning  and 
closes  at  eleven,  leaving  him  the  afternoon  and  evening 
for  study  and  pastoral  work.  No  minister  in  New 
York  devotes  as  many  hours  to  his  study,  or  is  more 
diligent  in  his  calling.  He  is  one  of  the  heaviest 
dealers  in  Washington  Market,  and  his  business  ranks 
with  Clafiin  in  dry-goods,  and  with  Colgate  in  gold. 
Preaching  nearly  every  evening  in  the  week,  he  pre- 
pares his  sermons  in  the  afternoon  previous.  There  is 
nothing  slipshod  about  him,  and  he  is  as  methodical 
in  his  pulpit  preparations  as  he  is  in  trade.  His 
method  is  to  mark  out  a generous  skeleton,  noting 
down  his  points  on  separate  pieces  of  paper.  These 
points  he  takes  with  him  into  the  pulpit,  and  delivers 
his  sermon  without  reading,  in  a free,  impassioned, 
magnetic  manner.  His  hours  of  study  are  from  one  to 
dark,  and  from  dinner  till  nine,  unless  he  i^reaches  in 
the  evening.  He  is  a fair  Latin  scholar,  a natural 
linguist,  taking  in  languages  by  intuition.  He  took  a 
course  of  theological  study  laid  out  by  that  eminent 
master  Hr.  William  H.  Wiliams.  Mr.  Knapp  believes 
in  Biblical  writers,  in  commentators,  and, eminent  men 
who  have  thrown  light  on  the  divine  Word,  but  the 
Bible  is  its  own  best  interpreter  and  requires  the  best 
key  to  unlock  the  sacred  mysteries. 

In  answer  to  the  question  Hoes  your  devotion  to 
trade  harm  your  spiritual  or  ministerial  life,”  Mr. 
Knapp  replies,  ^‘No!  Business  furnishes  me  with  a 
healthy  outlet  for  my  nervous  force.  It  has  preserved 
me  from  exhaustion  which  has  ruined  many  brilliant 
men.  It  has  kept  me  alive  and  in  good  health  to  this 
hour.” 

Mr.  Knapp  had  an  honored  ancestry.  His  father, 


HALSEY  Wim  KNAPP,  D,D. 


445 


Rev.  Henry  R.  Knapp,  was  a successful  Baptist  minis- 
ter. His  mother  was  a woman  of  great  force  of  char- 
acter, talent  and  godliness.  At  seventy-five  she  still 
survives  with  the  vigor  of  middle  life  upon  her.  Her 
son  has  honors  abroad  as  well  as  at  home.  The  degree 
of  doctor  of  divinity  has  been  conferred  upon  him  by 
a college  in  California. 

In  the  judgment  of  his  friends,  Mr.  Knapp  was 
called  to  the  ministry  at  the  age  of  sixteen.  He  was 
too  proud  to  have  the  Church  educate  him,  and  too 
poor  to  educate  himself.  So,  Jonah-like,  he  ran  away 
and  went  to  sea.  Many  things  joined  to  bring  him 
back  to  duty  and  to  God.  He  lost  a favorite  child  who 
was  the  idol  of  his  heart.  His  brother  Samuel’s  con- 
version had  great  influence  over  him.  Samuel  became 
a Baptist  preacher,  and  had  few  equals  in  the  x\meri- 
can  j^ulpit.  He  was  faithful  to  his  brother,  and  his 
fidelity  bore  rich,  ripe  fruit.  Halsey  was  plunged  into 
a gulf  of  despair,  and  his  season  of  gloom  covered  a 
period  of  sixteen  days.  In  his  humility,  the  first  ques- 
tion put  by  his  conscience  was:  “Will  you  now 
preach'^”  The  reply  was:  “Yes,  Lord,  I will  do  any- 
thing.” At  once  a call  came  from  Hudson  City.  On 
the  tenth  of  January,  1858,  he  gave  his  first  sermon, 
under  which  five  joersons  were  converted.  He  has  been 
settled  at  AVest  Farms,  N.  Y. ; Hudson  City,  K.  J. ; in 
North  Bergen,  and  in  the  South  Church  ; Pilgrim  Church 
and  Laight  Street  Church,  in  the  city  of  New  York. 
Marked  results  liave  followed  his  ministry  everywhere. 

At  Laight  street,  Mr.  Knapp’s  ministry  has  been  re- 
markable. The  house  of  worship  in  which  he  i^reaches 
had  been  abandoned  ; the  congregation  scattered,  and 
the  churcli  moved  up  town  ; the  field,  it  was  said,  was 
one  in  which  no  church  could  live,  and  no  congregation 
be  gathered.  A mission  church  was  organized,  and  Mr. 
Knapp  begun  his  work  with  the  assistance  of  one  man. 


446 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


In  five  years  he  gathered  the  largest  Protestant  congre- 
gation in  lower  New  York.  His  house,  holding  eight 
hundred  people,  is  crowded  every  Sunday  night.  He 
has  an  active  membership  in  the  locality  in  which 
people  are  constantly  moving.  Four  hundred  attend 
the  weekly  prayer-meeting.  For  three  years  there  has 
been  in  the  congregation  a perpetual  revival.  The  pas- 
tor’s work  is  simply  amazing.  He  seldom  leaves  his 
pulpit,  conducts  his  own  religious  meetings  through 
the  week,  and  finds  time  to  assist  sister  churches  on 
every  hand. 

He  still  adheres  to  the  principle  laid  down  in  his 
earlier  ministry.  He  makes  his  business  support  him- 
self and  family. 

He  gives,  without  ostentation  or  boasting,  liberally. 
During  the  nineteen  years  of  his  public  life  he  has 
donated  to  the  cause  of  religion  not  less  than  one  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars.  He  is  an  ardent,  magnetic 
friend,  x^ossesses  marked  social  gifts,  and  attaches  his 
associates  to  him  with  hooks  of  steel.  He  has  fine  con- 
versational powers,  and  is  an  attractive  parlor  compan- 
ion. He  has  sympathetic  words  for  the  poor,  the  sick 
and  suffering.  His  purse  and  labor  are  at  the  service 
of  every  good  work.  Hejjeatedly  called  from  Laight 
street  to  other  important  fields  of  service,  Mr.  Knapp 
makes  but  one  rejdy  : When  my  works  are  done  in 
this  i)lace,  God  will  make  a new  one  for  me.  Until 
then  I stand  in  my  flock.” 

Mr.  Knapp  sx)ent  the  summer  on  Long  Island. 
Among  the  visitors  was  the  rector  of  a fashionable 
church.  The  rector  proposed  to  have  a conference, 
and  to  invite  the  bishop  of  diocese  to  be  X3resent.  He 
took  a hall  and  announced  the  meeting.  A large  array 
of  clergymen  in  robes  filed  into  the  hall.  The  audi- 
ence was  a sparse  one..  The  rector  gave  this  account  of 
the  affair:  ‘‘1  thought  it  extraordinary,  that  there 


HALSEY  WING  KNAPP,  D,D. 


447 


should  be  so  slim  an  attendance,  when  the  bishop  was 
to  be  present,  and  preach.  But  what  was  more  extra- 
ordinary, was  this.  It  was  announced,  that  the  next 
night  a Mr.  Knapp,  a chicken  seller  of  New  York 
would  preach,  and  the  hall  was  packed  from  the  stair- 
way to  the  platform.” 

One  summer,  Mr.  Knapp  cruising  in  his  yacht, 
dropped  anchor  in  Nantucket  Harbor.  He  put  his 
yawl  alongside  of  the  vessel  to  exchange  the  compli- 
ments of  the  season.  He  accepted  an  invitation  to 
enter  the  cabin,  and  had  hardly  got  below  before  the 
craft  was  hailed:  ‘^Was  Elder  Knapp  on  board?” 
The  astonished  owner  answered,  ‘‘No  ! there  is  no 
Elder  Knapp  here.”  “ Hold  on,”  said  Halsey,  “ you 
are  not  so  sure  as  that,”  and  he  went  on  deck  to  see 
what  was  wanted.  And  this  was  Eider  Knapp  in  his 
commodore  suit.  “ Would  Elder  Knapi3  stay  over 
Sunday  ?”  “No.”  “ Would  he  preach  that  night  ?” 

“ Yes.”  The  town  was  notified  ; the  church  crowded. 
Twelve  visiting  ministers  occupied  the  front.  When 
Mr.  Knapp  announced  his  theme,  that  though  he 
preached  at  a moment’s  warning  the  subject  was  one  to 
which  he  had  given  more  study  and  on  which  he  was 
better  prepared  to  preach  than  almost  any  other,  the 
ministers  present  complimented  the  preacher  on  not 
passing  off  as  a hasty  production  a sermon  which  was 
the  fruit  of  much  study,  prayer  and  meditation. 


448 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


CXLIY. 

FORTY  YEARS  OF  MERCANTILE  LIFE. 


NE  of  our  prominent  merchants  has  had  forty 
years  of  business  experience  in  the  city  of 
New  York.  He  has  been  connected  with 
several  large  mercantile  firms.  During  this 
period  of  business  life,  he  has  seen  men  who  inherited 
the  business  fortunes  of  their  fathers  pass  out  of  sight. 
Others,  who  began  with  nothing ; sold  peanuts  and 
notions  ; peddled  goods  from  a tray ; hawked  news- 
papers from  the  curb-stone ; earned  a small  commis- 
sion, came  up  to  fame  and  fortune.  Some  men  have 
flung  away  a flne  business,  while  others  with  no  advan- 
tages make  themselves  rich.  In  the  Flatbush,  L.  I., 
almshouse,  are  two  men.  One  with  a jack-knife  will 
carve  out  of  a bone,  a piece  of  work,  for  beauty  and 
skill,  worthy  of  a Chinese  artist.  The  other  has  a 
chest  of  tools,  and  cannot  cut  ofl  a board  on  a line  to 
save  his  life.  Some  men  with  capital,  position,  and 
opportunities  will  be  failures.  Others  will  wm  for- 
tune in  the  teeth  of  the  flercest  adversity. 

“I  will  give,”  said  my  friend,  .“a  chapter  or  two 
from  my  business  life  : 


‘‘  I knew  Alexander  T.  Stewart.  He  was  a hard 
business  man.  His  one  aim  was  success.  He  knew  a 
good  bargain,  and  went  for  it.  He  knew  how  to  make 
a contract,  and  how  to  hold  a man  to  it.  He  drove 
tough  bargains  with  his  employees,  and  no  man  knew 
better  than  himself  how  valuable  it  was  for  a young 
man  to  be  retained  in  his  store.  The  man  who  held 
the  contract  for  Stewart’s  marble  mansion  was  ruined. 
He  expected  to  make  something  out  of  the  extra  work, 


FORTY  TEARS  OF  MERCANTILE  LIFE. 


449 


amounting  to  eigliteen  thousand  dollars.  The  con- 
tract, specified,  in  very  fine  letters,  that  all  extra  work 
must  be  ordered  by  the  architect.  The  architect  did 
not  order  this  extra  work,  but  the  superintendent  did. 
So  this  claim  was  disallowed.  , The  contractor  had 
another  claim  on  the  marble  quarr}^  in  Westchester 
County.  While  talking  the  matter  over  with  Stewart, 
the  contractor  dropped  dead  in  the  millionaire’s  count- 
ing room.  He  claimed  that  over  two  hundred  and 
twenty  thousand  dollars’  worth  of  marble  was  used  in 
Stewart’s  palace  on  Fifth  avenue. 

‘‘I  knew  W.  C.  Ralston  when  he  resided  in  Hew 
York,  and  when  he  was  poor  enough.  He  was 
a clerk  in  New  York,  and  his  room  was  under 
the  sky-light  in  the  National  Hotel.  His  room-mate 
was  Clinton  Wheeler,  a man  who  afterwards  became 
very  famous.  Twenty  years  ago  Ralston  went  to  the 
Pacific  coast.  He  was  sharp,  keen,  wily  and  unscru- 
pulous. He  set  his  aim  high,  and  worked  up  to  it,  and 
a great  deal  of  money  passed  through  his  hands.  Sev- 
enteen miles  out  from  San  Francisco,  he  erected  a 
costly  mansion.  He  had  a quarrel  with  the  railroad 
company,  and  he  drove  his  own  team  over  the  road, 
keeping  a relay  of  horses  to  make  the  journey  a swift 
one.  He  w^as  as  regular  as  the  sun  ; he  mounted  his 
coach  at  a given  hour  in  the  morning,  and  left  the  bank 
promptly  on  his  return.  Nothing  delayed  him ; no 
business  could  detain  him.  He  was  a magnificent  hos% 
and  often  entertained  forty  guests  at  a time.  His 
house,  table,  wdne-cellar  and  coaches  were  at  the  dis- 
posal of  his  friends — everything  but  himself.  However 
distinguished  his  company,  at  a given  hour  he  took 
his  candle  and  bade  his  guests  good-night.  Anyone 
who  chose  could  make  a night  of  it.  The  morning 
hour  for  starting  for  the  city  was  announced.  Ralston 
29 


450 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


waited  for  no  one  ; the  unready  were  left  behind.  Men 
set  their  watches  by  his  arrival  at  the  bank.  Once 
there,  the  company  were  left  on  the  pavement  to  the  care 
of  themselves.  On  the  minute,  carriages  were  at  the 
curbstone  for  his  return.  In  his  prosperous  days  he 
remembered  his  old  room-mate,  and  sent  him  an  ele- 
gant carriage  costing  twenty-six  hundred  dollars. 

‘ ‘ T.  R.  Butlee  is  President  of  the  Sixth  Avenue 
Railroad.  In  his  Ohio  home  he  was  the  sexton  of  a 
small  church.  He  was  capable,  industrious,  prudent, 
and  laid  up  a little  money.  He  began  his  New  York 
life  as  a clerk  in  a dry -goods  store.  He  began  trade  for 
himself  in  a small  way.  When  the  war  broke  out  he 
had  a small  Western  trade  in  New  York.  He  had  fore- 
sight enough  to  see  that  the  war  was  a fact,  and  would 
be  lasting.  He  put  all  his  money  into  cotton  and 
woollen  goods,  and  bought  all  he  could  get  on  credit. 
His  stock  arose  enormously  on  his  hands.  Hoods  went 
up  from  twenty  cents  a yard  to  ninety,  and  from  twen- 
ty-five cents  a yard  to  a dollar.  He  made  money  and 
invested  it  in  Sixth  Avenue  Railroad  stock.  He  has 
been  adding  to  his  fortune  from  year  to  year. 

A lucky  merchant  is  S.  B.  Chittexden, — ‘Little 
Chit,’  as  the  merchants  delight  to  call  him.  He  had 
a small  retail  trade  in  Hartford.  He  brought  to  New 
York  a cash  capital  of  seventeen  thousand  five  hundred 
dollars,  with  which  to  open  a new  mercantile  trade. 
He  invested  his  odd  five  hundred  dollars  in  the  stock 
of  the  Church  of  the  Pilgrims.  He  became  a member 
of  the  house  of  Phelps,  Chittenden  & Bliss.  Mr. 
Phelps  is  now  a rich  man,  and  Mr.  Bliss  is  a member 
of  the  banking  firm  of  Morton,  Bliss  & Co.  On  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  Mr.  Chittenden  was  on  the 
verge  of  financial  ruin.  All  he  expected  to  do  was  to 


FORTY  YEARS  OF  MERCANTILE  LIFE, 


451 


save  his  homestead  in  Guilford.  The  war,  instead  of 
ruining  him,  changed  Chittenden’s  fortune,  and  the 
rise  in  goods  made  him  rich.  He  bought  his  elegant 
estate  on  the  Heights,  at  a very  low  price.  Mr.  Phelps 
had  the  reputation  of  being  a very  sharp,  close  man. 
He  reserved  desk-room  in  a dry -goods  house  when  he 
went  out  of  active  business.  He  sold  a store-boy  a 
postage  stamp.  The  lad  could  raise  but  two  cents. 
The  next  day  the  millionaire  called  for  his  penny  and 
got  it. 

‘‘Peter  Gilsey  was  a German  and  kept  a segar 
store  on  the  corner  of  Broadway  and  Courtlandt. 
He  was  a painstaking,  prudent,  careful  man,  and  laid 
up  his  money.  He  was  prudent  and  cautious  in  in- 
vestments. He  built  the  first  iron  building  erected  in 
the  city.  He  made  a shrewd  contract  that  won  him 
a fortune.  He  contracted  to  put  up  the  iron  structure 
and  hold  it  rent  free  for  fifteen  years,  then  it  was  to  be 
handed  over  to  the  owner  of  the  land.  He  reserved  a 
small  room  on  the  old  site  and  carried  on  the  segar 
trade.  The  remainder  of  the  building  he  rented  at  a 
handsome  profit.  His  gains  were  invested  in  up-town 
lots  and  he  became  a millionaire. 

“ Clinton  Wheeler  was  the  room-mate  and  life- 
long friend  of  Ralston.  He  made  his  money  in  Indian 
contracts.  He  made  a bold  strike  to  furnish  Indian 
supplies  to  the  value  of  half  a million.  The  profits 
were  immense.  They  were  his  own,  but  he  shared 
them  with  the  firm  of  which  he  was  a member. 

“J.  H.  Wade,  of  Cleveland,  was  a small  portrait 
painter.  Apparently  he  had  little  force  and  no  fame. 
Had  he  remained  at  his  easel  he  would  never  have  been 
heard  of.  He  became  a telegraph  operator  and  bought 
stock  in  a small  way.  He  became  president  of  several 
small  lines,  and  had  influence  enough  to  get  into  the 


452 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS, 


employ  of  the  Western  Union.  He  developed  into  a 
first-class  business  man.  He  has  a palatial  house  in 
Cleveland,  and  is  a good  illustration  of  a man  who 
failed  in  one  business,  and  became  a marked  success 
in  the  other. 

‘‘  WuKTEMBERG  COLLEGE  is  located  at  Springfield, 
Ohio.  Its  president.  Rev.  Mr.  Hellway,  worked  his 
way  through  suffering  and  poverty  to  get  an  education. 
He  was  an  orphan  at  two  years  of  age ; indebted  for 
shelter  and  schooling  to  the  kindness  of  a friend.  When 
fifteen  years  old  he  was  offered  a clerkship  in  a store  at 
a salary  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars  a year.  He  had 
made  up  his  mind  to  preach  the  Gospel,  and  he  refused 
the  offer.  He  worked  his  way  through  college,  being 
full  of  resources  and  pluck.  He  kex-)t  school ; traded, 
and  took  shade-trees  into  Alabama  and  found  a market 
for  them.  He  is  now  the  foremost  scholar  and 
preacher  of  the  Lutheran  Church. 

‘‘  Ezra  Cornell  dressed  like  a farmer.  He  was  a 
Quaker  in  principle  ; a man  of  few  words,  but  of 
indomitable  energy.  He  became  rich  in  spite  of  him- 
self. He  took  to  telegraphing  in  a small  way,  and  was 
the  owner  of  a bunch  of  wires,  supposed  to  be  of  no 
great  value  to  any  one.  Silsby  was  a shrewd,  level- 
headed man,  and  formed  the  acquaintance  of  Cornell. 
He  told  Cornell  that  he  had  a fortune  in  his  hands  if 
those  scattered  lines  could  be  grouped  together.  Silsby 
did  not  rest,  till  he  had  formed  the  combination  known 
as  the  “ Six  Nations.”  With  it  Silsby  made  a fortune 
for  himself  and  for  his  associates.  Mr.  Cornell  in  1863 
was  put  on  the  State  Board  to  fill  a vacancy.  The 
State  scrip  was  worthless  for  educational  purposes,  yet 
Mr.  Cornell  offered  for  it  the  astonishing  price  of  two 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  He  located  the 


FORTY  YEARS  OF  MERCANTILE  LIFE. 


453 


land,  and  ran  up  their  value  to  three  millions.  This 
sum  he  devoted  to  education,  and  Cornell  University  is 
his  monument. 

“Caul  Beegmat^  was  at  one  time  the  delight  of 
the  Hub.  He  was  the  popular  musical  leader  of  the 
nation.  No  one  who  saw  him  wield  his  baton  at  Win- 
ter Garden  in  1855,  could  believe  he  would  die  in 
neglect.  Like  most  distinguished  artists,  his  day 
waned.  He  was  crowded  from  the  platform  to  make 
way  for  new  favorites,  He  became  moody  and  sullen. 
He  shunned  his  friends,  and  lived  alone.  He  died  in  a 
German  hospital  before  his  friends  knew  that  he  was 
ill.  Strangers  closed  his  eyes  and  buried  him.  He 
who  had  drawn  together  delighted  crowds,  and  hushed 
thousands  by  his  magic  sway,  was  neglected  by  his 
musical  friends,  and  forgotten  before  he  was  borne  to 
his  tomb. 

‘‘MyroETY  years’  experience  in  mercantile  life  sat- 
isfies me  that  we  have  improved  vastly  in  the  morals 
of  trade.  The  ‘eleven  o’clock’  and  the  ‘ four  o’ clock  ’ 
drams  were  regularly  handed  around,  and  merchants, 
customers  and  clerks  drank  together  forty  years  ago. 
Salesmen  were  allowed  to  play  cards  in  the  store,  and 
fill  up  their  idle  hours  with  gaming.  Customers  were 
taken  out  and  treated,  and  clerks  fond  of  fast  life  con- 
ducted customers  through  gambling  hells,  and  intro- 
duced them  into  dens  of  infamy.  He  was  regarded  as  a 
poor  salesman  who  could  not  palm  off  on  this  liberality  a 
heavy  bill  of  goods.  Many  men  who  plume  themselves 
on  the  title  of  ‘ merchant  princes,’  when  I was  a young 
man  kept  a gin-  mill — a corner  grocery — peddled  milk, 
or  ran  a sailors’  boarding-house.  The  sons  of  the  mag- 
nates of  that  far-off  period  are  ‘ hewers  of  wood  and 
drawers  of  water’  to  modern  millionaires.” 


454 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


CXLV. 

WILLIAM  EMERSON  BAKER. 


IDGE  HILL  FARMS,”  tlie  home  of  Mr. 
Baker,  is  one  of  the  best  known  country 
seats  in  vicinity  of  Boston.  He  was  named 
for  the  Rev.  William  Emerson,  father  of 
Ralph  Waldo.  He  was  a playmate  of  the  Lawrence 
boys,  and  the  Lawrence  mansion  of  Tremont  street,  was 
the  play -ground  of  the  lads.  Young  Baker’s  studies 
while  preparing  for  college  were  cut  short  by  the 
failure  of  his  father.  William  entered  a jobbing  house 
on  a salary  of  fifty  dollars  a year.  Before  the  first 
year  closed  he  accepted  a commission  on  sales  in  lieu 
of  salary.  His  energy  and  tact  ran  up  his  income  five 
hundred  dollars.  He  was  too  ambitious,  and  too  self- 
reliant,  to  be  a subordinate,  and  early  struck  out  for 
himself.  He  took  a loft  and  made  a specialty  of  goods 
bought  from  auction.  He  kept  a good  look-out  for 
bargains,  maintained  a fair  credit,  and  secured  all  the 
stock  he  wanted. 

In  the  third  year  of  his  business  career  he  made  the 
acquaintance  of  W.  C.  Grover.  He  was  an  inventor, 
and  had  a valuable  machine  for  embroidering.  It  was 
imperfect,  but  Mr.  Baker  saw  in  it  a gem  of  great 
wealth.  Mr.  Baker  joined  his  fortunes  with  Grover  ; 
aided  him  in  overcoming  the  defects  of  the  invention, 
and  evolved  a principle  that  has  made  the  Grover  & 
Baker  Machine  so  famous.  It  was  a stupendous  work 
to  win  the  favor  of  the  public.  For  a time,  everything 
seemed  to  consj)ire  against  the  firm.  Parties  who  con- 
tracted to  furnish  the  machinery  failed,  and  sums  ad- 
vanced by  Baker  & Grover  involved  heavy  losses. 


WILLIAM  EMERSON  BAKER. 


455 


Mr.  Baker  sailed  for  Europe  in  1854.  He  went 
abroad  to  introduce  his  sewing-machine  into  France, 
Belgium  and  Germany.  Peculiar  and  complicated  law- 
suits detained  him  abroad  two  and  a half  years.  A 
tricky  American  attempted  to  press  through  the 
patent-office  of  Great  Britain  a patent  in  advance  of 
the  rightful  owner.  It  cost  Mr.  Baker  over  a hundred 
thousand  dollars  to  expose  the  swindle  and  secure  his 
rights.  He  triumphed  at  last,  and  received  the  con- 
gratulations of  the  leading  lawyers  of  England. 

‘ ‘ Ridge  Hill  Farms  ’ ’ were  purchased  by  Mr.  Baker 
in  1868.  The  estate  is  located  in  Wellesly,  about  fifteen 
miles  from  Boston.  It  is  divided  into  groves,  grottoes, 
lawns,  lakes,  caves  and  canals, — eight  hundred  acres  in 
all.  The  proprietor  is  a marvel  of  industry  and  activ- 
itj^,  overseeing  eighty  persons  who  are  employed  on 
the  Farms.  Mr.  Baker  has  expended  immense  sums  of 
money  in  making  liis  home  attractive,  and  he  throws 
his  acres  open  to  the  public,  who  crowd  the  homestead 
from  dawn  to  dark.  He  has  gathered  a huge  collection 
of  curiosities,  rare  works  of  art,  live  animals  in  dens 
and  cages,  with  treasures  gathered  from  the  land  and 
the  sea.  He  spends  his  wealth  in  providing  unique 
and  attractive  entertainments  for  the  people. 

Fetes  and  entertainments  are  the  most  extraordi- 
nary things  about  the  Ridge  Hill  Farms.  These  are 
given  in  honor  of  distinguished  strangers  who  visit 
Boston.  He  entertained  the  troops  of  Georgia  and  South 
Carolina  in  royal  style  for  a week.  He  spread  a relig- 
ious cloth  of  gold  and  invited  one  hundred  clergymen 
of  different  denominations  to  meet  together.  He  erected 
a chapel  on  his  estaie  and  opened  it  to  clergymen  of 
every  sect.  Eminent  poets,  painters,  artists,  musicians, 
orators,  authors-,  and  journalists,  have  been  guests  of 
Mr.  Baker’ s festive  board. 

Amazement  and  amusement  strike  the  visitor.  The 


456 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


grotesque  and  the  artistic  blend.  The  Farms  are  cov- 
ered with  queer  arches,  astonishing  monuments,  bridges 
in  surprising  places,  statues,  and  pictures.  Bears 
growl  from  brick  dens ; gazelles  feed  upon  the  lawn  ; 
monkeys  and  peacocks  fill  huge  cages ; artificial  lakes 
are  covered  with  craft,  from  an  Indian  canoe  to  a steam- 
boat ; grottoes  through  the  solid  rock  are  a surprise. 
The  Farms  are  studded  with  the  “ Yalley  of  Fancies,” 
“ Smuggler’s  Cave,”  ‘‘  Stalactic  Grotto,”  “ Union 
Chapel,”  “ Monkey  House,”  Black  and  Gold  Stable,” 
and  an  arcade  for  children. 

Mr.  Baker  keeps  the  country  excited  by  the  num- 
ber and  distinguished  character  of  his  guests.  He  is  a 
liberal  host  and  has  reared  a banque  ting-room  on  his 
grounds  for  the  entertainment  of  visitors.  He  drives  his 
guests  in  his  own  carriages  a mile  and  a half  from  the 
depot  to  his  dwelling.  His  table  is  often  laid  for  a 
hundred  guests.  In  him  science  and  folly,  talent  and 
bluntness,  practical  common  sense  with  a love  of  the 
burlesque,  unite.  At  an  entertainment  the  bill  of  fare 
]3romises  canvas-back  ducks  in  plaster,  mock  turtle 
in  stone,  French  frogs  in  china  ; grapes  and  peas  from 
paradise — sound  as  when  plucked.  Mr.  Baker  seeks 
new  avenues  of  amusement  and  usefulness,  and  abhors 
the  beaten  path.  He  is  brimful  of  humor,  wit,  quaint- 
ness and  fun.  Affable  and  courteous  to  all,  he  is 
patient  and  forbearing  under  a provocation  His  energy 
and  perseverance  are  wonderful.  He  annually  spends 
large  sums  of  money  to  afford  healthy  and  agreeable 
recreation  to  thousands.  He  is  a public  benefactor. 


MASON  & HAMLIN  COMPANY. 


457 


CXLYI. 

MASON  & HAMLIN  CO. 

HIS  firm  is  known  from  the  snows  of  the 
North,  to  the  Gulf,  and  from  ocean  to  ocean. 
The  cabinet  organ  has  adorned  and  cheered 
thousands  of  homes.  It  has  rendered  effi- 
cient aid  in  the  Sunday-school  work.  It  has  supplied 
a want  long  felt  in  small  churches,  and  owes  its  j)opu- 
larity  to  its  ability  to  meet  the  present  demand  for 
social  and  religious  music.  Instrumental  music  has 
always  attended  the  service  of  song.  On  the  banks  of 
the  Red  Sea,  “Miriam  and  all  the  women  with  their 
timbrels”  joined  in  the  acclaim.  The  dedication  of 
the  image  on  the  plain  of  Dura,  was  aided  by  the 
cornet,  flute,  harp,  sacbut,  psaltery,  dulcimer  and 
all  kinds  of  music.  King  Solomon  made  the  worship 
of  the  temple  attractive  by  men  singers,  women  singers, 
musicial  instruments  and  that  of  all  sorts. 

At  the  opening  of  this  century  music  was  a luxury 
sparsely  enjoyed.  If  anything  was  omitted  in  the 
worship,  it  was  the  singing.  If  anything  was  short- 
ened, it  was  the  hymn.  Firstly  and  secondly  were 
never  omitted  in  the  sermon,  but  it  was  a very  common 
thing  for  the  minister  to  say  “please  to  omit  tlie  second 
and  third  verses  the  only  part  of  the  service  which 
the  people  could  enjoy,  and  the  only  part  in  which 
they  could  join.  A church  still  stands  in  a prominent 
New  England  city,  where  for  one  hundred  years  there 
was  no  singing.  When  music  was  introduced,  but  one 
hymn  on  a Sabbath  was  allowed.  The  introduction  of 
a single  hymn  in  the  service  was  so  hilarious  that 
sober  i3eople  left  the  church  and  stood  out  in  the  cold 
until  the  song  of  praise  was  over. 


458 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


The  revival  of  singing  in  Sunday-schools,  churches, 
and  homes,  has  made  a demand  for  a popular  instru- 
ment. The  elegance,  artistic  completeness,  and  comi- 
parative  low  cost  of  the  cabinet  organ  has  brought  it 
prominently  to  the  front. 

Reed  organs  are  an  American  invention.  The  orig- 
inal patent  for  improvement  in  organs  bears  date  1818. 
It  was  signed  by  James  Monroe,  president,  and  John 
Quincy  Adams,  secretary  of  state ; Aaron  M.  Peasely 
was  patentee.  Those  instruments  now  known  as  harmo- 
niums, melodeons,  or  seraphims,  were  neither  popular 
nor  remunerative.  The  Mason  & Hamlin  Company 
hold  the  original  patent. 

The  cabinet  organ  owes  its  perfection  and  |)opularity 
to  the  inventive  genius  of  Emmons  Hamlin.  A quarter 
of  a century  ago  he  began  his  improvements  in  reed 
instruments.  He  was  a young  man  working  at  the 
bench.  He  was  remarkable  for  his  tact  in  constructing 
musical  instruments,  and  for  his  great  inventive  genius. 
He  accidentally  gave  the  reeds  of  a melodeon  a twist  one 
day  while  tuning,  and  was  surprised  to  discover  that 
the  tone  was  greatly  improved.  This  accidental  dis- 
covery developed  a process  of  voicing  the  reeds.  Ex- 
periments were  made  from  time  to  time,  and  these 
resulted  in  a perfect  cabinet  organ,  the  most  popular 
instrument  played  by  a key-board.  It  is  popular 
because  it  has  real  excellence  and  capacity,  and  is  the 
artistic  instrument  of  musical  culture.  Over  forty 
thousand  were  sold  in  America  last  year,  and  the  sale 
of  imported  organs  this  season  will  amount  to  over  two 
hundred  thousand  dollars. 

In  1860  the  Mason  & Hamlin  Company  changed 
the  form  of  the  organ,  and  introduced  important  im- 
provements. In  a few  years  the  melodeon  was  entirely 
superseded.  The  organs  are  exported  to  almost  every 
civilized  country,  and  to  countries  not  civilized.  The 


MASON  & HAMLIN  COMPANY. 


459 


inventive  skill  of  the  house  has  produced  an  instru- 
ment suited  to  every  climate.  The  India  models  are 
marvels  of  ingenious  skill.  Neither  glue,  iron,  nor 
leather  are  used.  The  organs  are  secured  by  rivets  or 
bolts,  and  tacks  of  copper  or  brass ; the  cases  are  of 
Florida  red  cedar,  and  the  interior  so  defended  by  wire 
gauze  that  not  even  an  ant  can  gain  access. 

European  artists  of  eminence  have  placed  the  stamp 
of  their  approval  on  the  cabinet  organ.  An  elegantly- 
finished  instrument  has  just  been  turned  out,  for  the 
special  use  of  the  great  maestro,  Franz  Liszt.  He 
designs  to  use  it  in  his  own  orchestra.  The  experts  of 
the  company  pronounce  this  the  best  organ  of  its  size 
ever  made. 

The  Mason  & Hamlin  Company  have  been  intro- 
ducing, during  the  period  of  fifteen  years,  valuable 
improvements  into  their  instruments.  Over  thirty 
patents  have  been  secured,  of  which  the  public  have 
the  benefit.  Beside  the  most  skillful  inventors  of 
America,  the  services  of  English,  Scotch,  French,  Ger- 
mans, and  Swedes  have  been  secured.  The  firm  has 
been  singularly  fortunate  in  blending  inventive  genius 
with  business  tact.  The  house  began  with  a small, 
imperfect  instrument,  and  has  continued  its  improve- 
ments, till  the  cabinet  organ  commands  the  indorse- 
ment of  the  first  artists  of  the  world. 


460 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


CXLVII. 

CHARLES  J.  CRAGIN. 

R.  CRAGIX  is  the  head  of  the  well-known 
soap-house  of  J.  L.  Cragin  & Co.  He  has 
made  fame  and  fortune  out  of  an  article  of 
merchandise,  known  as  ‘‘Dobbins’  Electric 
Soap.”  A poor  Frenchman  came  to  America;  his 
whole  capital  was  in  a receipt  for  making  soap.  The 
Frenchman  was  poor,  and  he  could  not  put  his  com- 
modity on  the  market.  He  sold  it  to  a Mr.  Dobbins, 
who  entered  upon  its  manufacture  and  sale.  The  soap 
recommended  itself,  and  the  business  grew  beyond  the 
ability  of  its  owner  to  manage,  and  he  sold  his  interest 
in  the  article  to  Mr.  Cragin. 

Charles  J.  Cragin  was  born  in  New  England,  of 
Puritan  stock.  He  came  in  a direct  and  unbroken  line 
from  John  Cragin,  who  in  1652  came  to  Boston  from 
Scotland.  Young  Cragin  entered  the  dry-goods  house 
of  Jordan,  Marsh  & Co.,  of  Boston,  and  secured  a 
practical  knowledge  of  mercantile  business.  He  began 
business  for  himself  in  a small  way,  selling  Dobbins’ 
soap  on  commission.  His  capital  was  five  hundred 
dollars,  out  of  which  his  fortune  has  been  made. 
Through  all  these  years  of  business  he  has  never  bor- 
rowed a dollar,  nor  asked  any  favor  at  a bank. 

In  1869  Mr.  Dobbins  was  unable  to  continue  his 
business.  Mr.  Cragin  saw  his  chance,  and  bought  the 
whole  business  of  Dobbins’  Soap.  He  paid  fifty  thou- 
sand dollars  for  the  receipt,  and  cleared  it  in  the  earn- 
ings of  the  first  year’s  sale.  Men  thought  he  was  crazy. 
But  Cragin  saw  that  there  was  a fortune  in  the  article, 
and  he  proposed  to  press  it.  He  had  intelligence  and 


RUFUS  S.  FROST, 


461 


forecast ; was  shrewd  and  liberal.  He  knew  the  value 
of  printer’s  ink,  and  made  the  American  people  familiar 
with  it  by  its  power  with  the  soaj)  he  had  to  offer.  He 
spends  annually  in  advertising  from  fifty  to  one  hun- 
dred thousand  dollars.  He  knows  where  his  money 
goes.  He  keeps  the  standard  of  his  soap  up.  A box 
opened  in  any  part  of  the  world  is  found  to  be  pure  and 
efficacious.  He  inaugurated  the  practice  of  giving 
away  a sample  of  his  soap,  and  each  sample  brings  him 
a customer. 

The  Centennial  judges  made  a flattering  report  on 
the  merits  of  this  soap,  awarding  medal  of  merit  and 
diploma  of  honor  for  its  superior  quality  and  good 
manufacture.  Mr.  Cragin,  when  a young  man,  had 
courage  to  begin  life  for  himself.  He  did  what  he 
found  to  do  at  the  start,  and  did  it  well.  He  saw  his 
opportunity  and  seized  it.  He  won  fame  and  fortune 
while  still  a young  man,  and  stands  foremost  among 
the  business  men  of  his  city. 


CXLYIII. 

RUFUS  S.  FROST. 

R.  FROST  is  a well-known  Boston  merchant. 
He  is  distinguished  for  unbending  integrity 
and  marked  business  ability.  These  traits 
have  won  the  popular  regard,  and  called  him 
to  positions  of  honor.  He  has  been  mayor  of  his  city, 
one  of  the  governor’ s council,  a member  of  Congress, 
and  been  twice  elected  to  each  position. 


462 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Mr.  Frost  was  born  in  Marlborough,  N.  H.,  under 
the  shadow  of  the  Monadnock.  He  passed  his  boyhood 
on  a farm.  0n  the  death  of  his  father,  his  mother  re- 
moved to  the  vicinity  of  Boston,  that  her  son  might 
have  better  educational  advantages.  Trade  had  a 
fascination  for  the  lad,  and  he  entered  a store,  where 
he  proved  smart,  capable,  and  energetic.  When  he 
was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  he  became  a clerk  in  the 
house  of  J.  H.  Osgood  & Co.  This  was  but  a stepping- 
stone  to  a higher  position  and  a wider  field.  While 
yet  a young  man,  he  became  a partner  in  the  well- 
known  house  of  Gardiner,  Colby  & Co.  He  was  con- 
tent with  the  gains  of  mercantile  life,  and  saw  a fortune 
in  the  legitimate  channels  of  trade.  He  soon  put  his 
name  over  his  own  house,  and  enrolled  himself  among 
the  leading  merchants  of  Boston,  with  a branch  in  New 
York  and  Chicago. 

Mr.  Frost  became  a manufacturer  as  well  as  a com- 
mission merchant.  He  has  put  on  the  market  import- 
ant and  leading  styles  of  goods.  He  has  won  the 
confidence  of  his  fellow  merchants.  He  was  sent  on 
to  Washington  after  the  great  fire,  to  secure  a change 
in  the  bankrupt  laws.  He  found  in  his  Sunday-school 
a bright,  cheery  lad  who  was  a splendid  penman.  He 
made  him  his  confidential  clerk,  and  then  a j)artner. 
A young  man  called  to  consult  him  about  an  offer. 
‘‘Come  into  my  store,”  said  the  merchant,  “lean  do 
better  for  you  than  any  one  else.”  He  is  now  one  of 
the  partners  of  the  house,  and  son-in-law  of  the  prin- 
cipl  of  the  firm. 

Mr.  Frost  early  identified  himself  with  religious 
work.  For  many  years  he  was  a popular  and  efficient 
superintendent  of  a Sunday-school.  He  was  elected 
president  of  the  Congregational  Club,  composed  of  the 
leading  clergymen  and  laymen  of  Boston.  He  was  a 
born  leader,  needed  and  sought  for. 


BOSTON  CHRISTIAN  UNION 


463 


Through  all  his  success,  mercantile  and  political, 
Mr.  Frost  has  carried  a love  for  his  old  homestead.  He 
bought  back  the  farm  on  which  he  had  worked  when  a 
boy  ; beautified  it,  and  will  hold  it  to  the  end.  To 
honor  his  native  town  he  built  a costly  stone  edifice  for 
a free  library  ; stocked  it  with  books  ; endow^ed  it  that 
it  might  be  a perpetual  blessing  in  the  generations  to 
come.  To  revive  the  church  of  his  ^fathers,  he  secured 
the  services  of  an  evangelist.  A series  of  meetings 
were  held  that  resulted  in  the  conversion  of  a hundred 
prominent  persons  in  the  town.  The  old  church  was 
enlarged  and  beautified  ; an  elegant  organ — the  gift  of 
Mr.  Frost — was  put  up,  and  the  salary  increased.  The 
revival  was  a blessing  to  the  temporal  interests  of  the 
town.  The  library  and  the  increased  educational  ad- 
vantages, with  a revived  state  of  religion,  attracted 
the  attention  of  strangers.  Property  improved,  and 
business  life  was  stirred.  Mr.  Frost  came  from  a good 
stock.  He  was  trained  to  independence  and  self-reli- 
ance. He  earned  much  and  gave  liberally,  and  has 
been  the  architect  of  his  own  success. 


CXLIX. 

BOSTON  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 

IE  Boston  Young  Men’s  Christian  Union  was 
founded  in  1851.  It  is  a non-sectarian  asso- 
ciation, and  aims  to  secure  the  improvement 
and  happiness  of  young  men.  Six  thousand 
young  men  enjoy  its  facilities  during  the  year.  It  has 


464 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


elegant  parlors  opened  as  a place  of  pleasant  resort. 
Its  library  is  extensive,  and  its  reading-rooms  hand- 
somely htted  up.  It  is  affluent  in  its  provision  for  en- 
tertainments— literary,  musical,  social — free  as  the  air. 
It  has  a gymnasium,  savings  bank,  and  facilities  for 
aesthetic  and  artistic  culture.  Its  founders  were  men  of 
renown  — Lawrences,  Appletons,  Goddard,  Gannett, 
Grant,  Loring,  Kidder,  Peabody,  Pice,  Brooks,  Keale, 
Hale  and  Collyer. 

The  real  work  of  the  Union  began  after  the  war, 
when  thousands  of  young  men  in  the  great  cities  were 
turned  loose.  William  H.  Baldwin  saw  the  open  field 
and  entered  it.  The  government  of  Christian  associa- 
tions was  limited  to  evangelical  Christians.  The  Union 
was  founded,  bounded  by  no  denominational  line.  It 
was  founded  to  meet  a want  which  existing  associa- 
tions could  not  supply. 

The  Union  owes  its  prosperity  and  vigor  to  the  in- 
telligence, to  the  tact  and  heroism  of  its  president,  Mr. 
Baldwin.  He  was  a merchant,  and  knew  the  spiritual 
needs  of  young  men.  He  knew  the  perils  of  a city  life 
to  which  they  were  exposed,  the  temptations  and  se- 
ductions. He  had  marked  popular  gifts,  which  admi- 
rably fitted  him  for  the  post  assigned  him. 

The  headquarters  of  the  Union  were  fitted  up  with 
every  appliance  and  beauty.  A cotfee-room  was  con- 
nected with  the  institution,  where,  at  a small  cost,  a 
wholesome  meal  could  be  obtained.  An  employment 
bureau  v/as  opened.  A boarding-house  committee 
secured  economical  and  comfortable  homes.  Pews  in 
churches  were  furnished  to  those  who  wished  to  wor- 
ship the  Lord.  A woman’s  committee  aided  such  as 
needed  assistance  and  advice.  Classes  free  to  all  were 
formed  to  instruct  in  book-keeping,  penmanship,  par- 
liamentary law,  and  vocal  music.  Entertainments 
were  afforded  during  the  season,  and  social  gatherings 


BOSTON  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


465 


were  regularly  held  for  members  and  their  lady  friends. 
Religious  culture  was  the  foundation  on  which  all  the 
work  rested.  All  denominations  stood  on  its  platform, 
and  eminent  men  gave  their  approval  and  countenance 
to  the  good  work. 

The  building  erected  for  the  purposes  of  the  Union 
is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  land.  It  cost  three  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  and  is  free  to  the  young  men  of 
Boston.  Funds  for  its  erection  were  contributed  by 
the  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the  city.  The  rooms  are 
furnished  with  every  appliance  for  the  elevation  and 
improvement  of  the  young.  On  the  completion  of  the 
building  the  membership  of  the  association  ran  up 
from  ten  hundred  and  thirty  to  five  thousand.  The 
librarj'  holds  five  thousand  volumes.  The  department 
of  secular,  religious,  and  periodical  literature  is  full. 
The  rooms  are  opened  on  Sunday,  and  afford  an  ele- 
gant retreat  for  young  men  who  have  no  homes  of  their 
own. 

The  beneficent  work  of  the  Union  is  not  limited  to 
young  men.  Poor  and  suffering  families  look  to  the 
Union  for  aid.  Meetings  are  held,  in  which  the  chil- 
dren of  want  and  penury  are  gathered  together,  who 
are  fed  and  clothed,  and  take  to  their  homes  substantial 
gifts.  A corps  of  workers  are  ready  for  any  emergency 
at  home  or  abroad.  If  the  lurid  flames  lay  a beautiful 
city  in  ashes  ; if  pestilence  wmlks  in  darkness  ; or  fam- 
ine wastes  at  noonday,  South,  or  IN’orth,  or  West,  the 
Union,  is  ready  for  prompt  relief.  Its  large  and  liberal 
endowment  and  its  many  generous  donors  enable  the 
Union  to  offer  prompt  and  efficient  relief. 

30 


466 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS, 


CL. 

DEXTER  SMITH. 

R.  SMITH  is  celebrated  as  the  author  of  many 
popular  ballads  and  songs.  He  is  the  com- 
poser of  some  of  the  most  popular  music  of 
the  age.  He  was  born  in  Salem,  Mass.,  in 
1839.  When  twelve  years  of  age  he  received  the  bent 
that  he  never  lost.  He  became  acquainted  with  a man 
ninety  years  of  age,  who  said  in  young  Smith’s  hear- 
ing : If  I were  to  live  my  life  over  again,  there  are 
certain  things  that  I would  not  do.”  ‘‘  What  are  some 
of  those  things,”  said  the  lad,  that  you  would  not 
do  ?”  ‘‘I  would  not  drink  liquor  ; I would  not  smoke, 

snuff,  chew,  or  use  tobacco  in  any  form.  I would  not 
swear ; I would  not  lie  ; I would  not  gamble.  I would 
give  billiard-rooms  and  bar-rooms  a wide  berth.  I 
would  not  keep  bad  company.  I would  keet)  out  of 
debt.”  Young  Dexter  laid  these  counsels  to  heart,  and 
resolved  to  abjure  the  vices  that  had  clouded  the  life  of 
his  venerable  friend. 

While  attending  the  high  school  at  Salem,  Mr. 
Smith’s  poetic  talent  displayed  itself,  and  his  pieces 
found  their  way  into  the  newspapers.  While  at  school 
he  occupied  his  recess  in  printing  with  pen  and  ink  a 
miniature  newspaper,  which  he  finished  in  artistic  style, 
and  he  called  his  sheet,  ‘‘Dexter  Smith’s  Paper.”  In 
after  years  his  boyish  dreams  had  their  fulfillment  in 
a popular  journal  bearing  his  name  over  hill  and  valley, 
and  in  palace  and  hovel.  He  said  to  a schoolmate  : 
“When  I am  a man,  I mean  to  publish  a musical 
journal.  I intend  to  make  it  so  cheap  that  the  poorest 
man  can  buy  a copy.” 


DEXTER  SMITH. 


467 


At  twenty-one  years  of  age  Mr.  Smith  removed  to 
Boston  and  entered  upon  a mercantile  career.  He 
never  lost  sight  of  his  purpose  to  establish  a magazine 
of  music  for  the  million.  He  ate  no  idle  bread.  He 
spent  his  Sundays  in  Pitt  Street  Chapel,  teaching 
young  working  men  and  boys.  He  labored  evenings 
in  some  one  of  the  schools  of  charity,  giving  his  ser- 
vices without  money  and  without  price.  In  addition 
to  other  Sunday  labors  he  taught  in  the  Revere  Sun- 
day-School— a school  devoted  to  colored  people.  He 
started  his  journal  in  a small  way  and  with  a small 
capital.  By  industry,  and  personal  attention  to  his 
work,  and  meeting  his  engagements,  he  maintained  a 
fair  credit  and  became  a success.  Years  afterwards, 
when  the  paper  was  firmly  established,  he  asked  a 
printer,  Why  did  you  trust  me  to  such  an  extent 
‘ ‘ I knew  your  style  of  business  and  liked  it.  You  took 
right  hold  of  your  own  work.  You  did  not  squander 
your  money  in  clerk  hire,  fast  horses,  nor  in  drinking, 
nor  in  billiard-rooms.  You  seem  to  have  adopted  the 
good  old-fashioned  way  of  ploughing  deep,  sowing 
generously,  and  expecting  the  harvest.” 

Dexter  Smith  attempted  to  purify  the  popular 
songs.  He  wrote  a temperance  ballad  for  the  negro 
ministrel  singers,  which  became  the  song  of  the  day. 
Some  of  his  domestic  songs  have  a world- wide  popu- 
larity. A celebrated  American  musician,  on  nearing 
the  Queenstown  dock,  heard  the  children  upon  the 
wharf  singing  “Put  me  in  My  Little  Bed.”  The  song 
“ Ring  the  Bell  Softly  ” has  reached  the  sale  of  over  a 
quarter  of  a million.  The  songs  “ When  the  Little  Feet 
are  Waiting  on  the  Golden  Sand,”  “Darling  Minnie 
Lee,”  with  “Put  Me  in  my  Little  Bed,”  have  been 
published  and  sung  in  all  quarters  of  the  globe.  Many 
men  ruin  their  business  prospects  and  repute  by  out- 
side matters.  Mr.  Smith’s  recreations  have  added  to 


468 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


his  financial  repute.  For  years  he  has  been  a personal 
worker  in  the  charities  of  Boston.  He  has  been  foremost 
among  those  who  have  i)rovided  excursions  for  poor 
children  and  sick  women.  His  business  ability,  fore- 
cast and  integrity  ; his  sturdy  temperance  principles, 
and  his  open-handed  liberality  were  observed  by  the 
merchants.  One  of  the  leading  music  dealers  of  the 
day  said  : ‘Hs  your  business  good  ? ” “Yes,  but  I am 
not  doing  as  much  as  I might  if  I had  a little  more 
capital.”  The  dealer  instantly  drew  his  check  for  two 
thousand  dollars  and  laid  it  before  the  astonished 
young  man.  ‘ ‘ How  do  you  manage  to  get  such  credit  ? ’ ’ 
asked  an  unsuccessful  publisher.  “I  meet  my  obliga- 
tions promptly  and  pay  my  bills.”  The  American 
News  Company  were  not  very  enthusiastic  over  the 
proposition  to  sell  Dexter  Smith’s  journal  over  their 
counter.  “No musical  journal  has  ever  yet  paid,”  was 
the  unwelcome  response.  ‘ ‘ Then  I will  make  one  pay,  ’ ’ 
said  the  energetic  publisher.  To-day  the  News  Com- 
pany sell  more  copies  of  Dexter  Smith’s  j)aper  than 
all  other  musical  journals  combined. 


CLI. 

JOHN  M.  CRANE. 


R.  CRANE  is  cashier  of  the  Shoe  and  Leather 
Bank.  He  is  a representative  business 
young  man.  He  is  capable  and  talented, 
with  great  executive  force  ; an  address  that 
with  business  manners  that  attract.  His 
father  gave  him  a good  education, — all  he  had  to.give. 


JOHN  M.  CRANE. 


409 


The  lad  started  on  his  way  to  earn  a position  for  him- 
self. Young  as  he  was,  he  adopted  some  rules.  He 
would  keep  out  of  bad  company.  He  would  select  a 
reputable  business.  He  would  not  be  idle  because  his 
pay  was  small.  He  would  make  every  position  a step- 
ping-stone to  a better.  He  would  make  himself  useful 
to  his  employer.  Whatever  he  did,  he  would  do 
cheerfully  and  -well.  His  uncle  once  told  him  that 
‘‘  Civility  was  a poor  man's  capital.”  He  had  some  of 
that  stock,  and  proposed  to  invest  it.  Employment 
was  as  difficult  to  get,  twenty  years  ago,  as  it  is  now. 
Young  Crane  spent  weeks  among  the  business  men  of 
the  city,  asking  the  question,  “Do  you  want  a boy, 
sir  ?”  Nobody  wanted  a boy.  Endurance  was  one  of 
the  lad’s  traits,  and  he  trudged  on.  Just  off  Broad- 
way a man  kept  a small  seed-store.  He  wanted  a boy, 
but  the  wages  were  very  low.  Crane  wanted  position 
more  than  money,  and  he  thankfully  took  the  place. 
He  worked  hard,  never  shirked,  and  never  grumbled. 
The  Ocean  Bank  wanted  a check  clerk.  The  cheery, 
smart  way  of  doing  things  that  Crane  had,  attracted 
the  attention  of  the  bank.  He  was  offered  the  place. 
His  master  said,  “ Take  it ; I do  not  want  you  to  go, 
but  you  are  worth  more  than  I can  afford  to  give.” 
And  Crane  took  his  place  in  the  bank.  Everything 
was  new  to  the  young  clerk,  and  the  business  was 
heav}^.  The  customers  dealt  in  small  sums,  and  out  of 
fifty  checks  not  one  of  them  would  exceed  ten  dollars. 
Mr.  Crane  was  in  delicate  health,  the  work  was  too 
hard  for  him,  and  he  nearly  gave  out  under  it. 

One  day  a friend  said  to  him,  “Your  work  is  hard, 
your  pay  poor,  and  you  can  never  rise  here.  A new 
bank  is  to  be  opened  Monday.  The  board  want  a check 
clerk.  Why  don’t  you  apply  ?”  “I  know  you  very 
well,”  said  the  bank  officer,  “and  would  be  glad  to 
have  you  in  our  bank.  We  can  pay  you  no  more  than 


470 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


you  are  now  receiving,  and  you  would  gain  nothing.” 
“I  shall  be  this  much  better  off,”  said  Crane.  ‘‘I 
shall  have  lighter  work.  Give  me  the  position  and  I’ll 
take  my  chances.”  And  he  began  on  the  lowest  round 
of  the  financial  ladder.  In  four  months  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  individual  ledger.  In  six  months  he  was 
bookkeeper.  He  became  receiving  teller,  and  then 
paying  teller.  In  ten  years  from  the  time  he  entered 
on  his  banking  life,  he  became  cashier  of  one  of  the 
most  influential  moneyed  institutions  of  ISTew  York. 

Mr.  Crane  had  marked  financial  talent.  He  was 
not  content  to  be  a machine,  to  run  in  a groove,  and 
meet  mechanically  the  duties  of  his  position.  He 
studied  the  principles  of  banking.  He  knew  every 
principle  of  finance.  He  had  the  intuition  of  a woman. 
In  the  bank  he  was  an  influential  and  judicious  adviser. 
He  took  the  measure  of  a man  at  a glance,  and  seldom 
made  a mistake.  He  came  early  and  left  the  bank  late. 
He  had  a helping  hand  for  every  department.  If  a 
clerk  wanted  to  go  away,  he  took  his  place.  If  a young 
man  was  bothered,  he  assisted  him.  In  subordinate 
positions  in  the  bank  he  was  eminently  popular  with 
the  customers.  As  it  neared  three  o’clock  and  men 
with  checks  to  be  paid  or  money  to  deposit  became 
uneasy,  Mr.  Crane  would  say,  in  his  pleasant  way, 
‘‘Don’t  crowd,  gentlemen,  don’t  crowd.  You  shall 
have  plenty  of  time.”  When  discounts  were  to  be 
denied,  ugly  customers  to  be  dealt  with,  or  unreason- 
able people  to  be  satisfied,  young  Crane  was  often  de- 
tailed to  do  the  unpleasant  work.  His  bland  and  con- 
ciliating manner  robbed  the  disappointment  of  half  its 
sting.  With  capacity,  intelligence  and  sterling  integ- 
rity, Mr.  Crane  is  capable  of  occupying  any  higher 
plane  that  may  yet  be  opened  before  him.  He  knows 
“ how  to  labor  and  to  wait.” 


THE  HOUSE  OF  HOOK  & CO. 


471 


CLII. 

THE  HOUSE  OF  HOOK  & CO. 

& a.  Q.  HOOK  & HASTINGS  are  the*  great 
organ  builders  of  America.  In  every  noted 
. city  or  town  in  the  land,  there  is  a church 
organ  built  by  the  Hooks.  The  great  cathe- 
drals of  the  country  have  a Hook  organ.  Few  suc- 
cessful men  have  been  started  in  the  business  that  have 
made  their  names  famous.  The  father  of  E.  and  G.  G. 
Hook  was  a cabinet-maker.  The  boys  were  brought 
up  to  the  same  trade.  They  early  learned  the  use  of 
tools,  and  followed  their  own  bent  in  construction. 
They  had  a taste  of  making  juvenile  musical  instru- 
ments. The  made  bird  organs,  and  early  showed 
great  ingenuity  in  construction.  They  were  musicians 
as  well  as  mechanics,  and  at  sixteen  were  competent  to 
play  the  organ  in  church.  The  great  organ  builder  in 
Boston  was  Thomas  Appleton.  The  Hooks  had  the 
run  of  his  factory,  and  became  familiar  with  the  great 
instrument  of  sacred  service.  Among  their  associates 
was  Jonas  Chickering,  afterwards  the  celebrated  piano 
maker.  He  was  learning  the  trade  of  cabinet-making. 
Appleton  divided  his  business.  He  gave  the  piano 
trade  to  Chickering,  and  kept  organ  manufacturing  for 
himself.  The  Hooks  early  began  to  build  organs  in  a 
small  way.  They  had  a country  trade.  The  heavy 
and  well-known  builders  monopolized  the  cities  and 
towns.  The  churches  were  generally  opposed  to 
organs.  Amid  much  opposition  the  Hooks  contracted 
for  an  organ  for  the  Tabernacle  Church,  Salem.  The 
business  increased,  and  with  it  the  fame  of  the  young 
house.  They  studied  their  calling.  They  formed  the 


473 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


acquaintance  of  the  best  builders.  They  became  famil- 
iar with  every  famous  stop  within  their  reach.  Their 
charges  were  reasonable  and  their  work  satisfactory. 

It  was  a great  advance  when  the  house  gained  a con- 
tract to  build  a three- bank  organ  at  Providence.  After 
forty  years  of  use,  tne  organ  was  considered  good 
enough,  with  a few  slight  improvements,  to  be  used  in 
the  newly-modified  house  of  worship.  In  the  Episco- 
pal church.  South  Boston;  and  Dr.  Dewey’s,  JSTew 
York  ; and  St.  Peter’s,  Albany  ; Dr.  Adams’,  Boston  ; 
Collier’s,  Chicago,  and  in  prominent  churches  in  cities 
from  the  Atlantic  slope  to  the  Pacific,  the  Hooks  have 
established  their  reputation  as  leading  organ  builders 
of  the  age. 

Understanding  their  business  perfectl}^,  the  Hooks 
are  able  to  help  parislies  to  just  such  an  instrument  as 
they  want.  They  know  what  churches  need.  They  ask 
how  much  money  the  contract  will  call  for,  how  much 
space  is  allowed,  how  many  stops  are  required,  how 
much  to  be  expended  on  the  case,  and  other  practical 
questions.  When  these  are  answered — as  all  the 
organs  in  this  house  are  built  on  honor — an  organ  is 
constructed  and  put  up  on  the  integrity  of  the  builders, 
and  satisfaction  is  guaranteed. 

In  1864  the  great  organ  in  Plymouth  Church  was 
set  up.  No  questions  were  asked  as  to  price.  Space 
was  given,  and  the  contract  filled  on  time.  The  Arch- 
bishop of  Halifax  came  to  the  factory  and  laid  down  six 
hundred  sovereigns,  simply  saying  ; ‘‘You  know  what 
I want,  and  I don’t ; make  the  best  organ  you  can  for  the 
money.”  The  Tremont  Temple  organ  was  the  largest 
in  the  land  for  years.  The  Jubilee  organ  was  a marvel 
of  artistic  success.  Four  weeks  only  were  allowed  for 
the  construction  and  putting  up.  It  was  to  overpower 
an  orchestra  such  as  Boston  had  never  seen,  and  to 
lead  a chorus  of  ten  thousand  voices.  The  Cathedral 


ALVIN  ADAMS. 


473 


organ  of  Boston  afforded  the  Hooks  an  opportunity 
never  before  accorded.  The  space  was  unlimited  ; the 
building  immense  ; the  funds  warranted  any  expendi- 
ture. The  organ  is  pronounced  the  tinest  in  America. 
It  is  not.  only  superior  in  size  and  power,  but  in  charac- 
ter. It  holds  all  the  modern  improvements.  The 
house  put  its  own  fame  into  this  organ  and  it  has  no 
equal  in  the  world. 

The  last  great  work  of  the  Hooks  was  the  building 
of  the  great  Centennial  organ.  Opportunity  was  given 
to  show  what  an  organ  should  be.  The  location  was 
sui3erior.  Permission  was  given  to  the  builders  to  put 
in  whatever  they  pleased.  The  organ  astounded  the 
world. 

The  house  of  Hooks  have  the  most  complete  fac- 
tory for  organ  building  in  the  States.  The  hrm  wears 
its  success  on  its  sleeve.  It  has  an  intelligent  and 
artistic  mastery  over  the  business.  Every  instrument 
is  made  on  honor.  The  best  workmen  in  the  world  are 
secured,  and  many  of  them  have  been  retained  for 
years.  The  house  has  out-run  all  its  rivals,  and  its  own 
name  is  its  own  best  recommendation. 


CLIII. 

ALVIN  ADAMS. 

H.  ADAMS  is  the  founder  of  the  Adams  Ex- 
press Company.  He  did  not  originate  the 
express  business,  but  he  systematized  it,  and 
made  it  the  great  basiness  in  the  land.  Two 
conductors  on  the  Worcester  road  originated  expressing 


474 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


as  a trade.  Bankers  sent  money  to  Boston  by  their 
hands  ; merchants  ordered  goods  through  them.  Busi- 
ness increased  and  the  conductors  made  more  money 
by  expressing  than  they  did  on  the  road.  The  corpo- 
ration interfered,  and  the  men  had  their  choice  to  give 
up  carrying  parcels  or  resign.  Some  one  proposed  to 
make  the  carrying  of  money  and  parcels,  and  buying 
small  merchandise,  a trade  by  itself.  Hamden  caught 
the  idea,  took  a small  trunk  in  his  hand  and  started 
for  Salem. 

Alvin  Adams  was  a Vermont  boy.  He- was  left  an 
orphan  at  an  early  age  ; he  spent  some  years  with  his 
brother,  on  a farm.  ‘‘  Go  not  to  your  brother’s  house 
in  the  day  of  calamity,”  says  the  Bible.  Alvin  knew 
what  that  meant.  He  started  out  to  find  work  for  him- 
self among  strangers.  He  offered  himself  to  a tavern- 
keeper  to  ‘‘do  chores”  around  the  house  for  his  board. 
He  had  the  stuff  in  him  and  made  himself  useful.  He 
groomed  the  horses,  harnessed  the  stages,  mounted  the 
box,  and  drove  short  routes.  He  was  steady,  resolute, 
prudent.  He  drifted  to  Boston.  Picked  up  odd  jobs 
here  and  there,  and  built  up  a good  trade.  A panic 
swept  over  the  land,  and  commercial  ruin  followed.  He 
had  little  money.  His  clothes  were  worn  out,  and  the 
future  was  dark. 

One  morning  Mr.  Adams  went  down-town.  He  did 
not  care  about  seeing  anybody,  and  as  he  turned  into  a 
small  alley  near  Brattle  street  he  came  face  to  face 
upon  an  acquaintance,  whom  of  all  others  he  least  de- 
sired to  meet.  His  friend  was  full  of  a new  business, 
express  lines  between  Boston  and  New  York.  Ham- 
den was  then  running  on  the  Providence  road,  and  was 
doing  w^ell.  An  express  on  the  Worcester  road  would 
be  equally  successful.  Hamden  was  again  ahead.  He 
had  laid  his  hands  on  the  Worcester.  The  road  would 
listen  to  no  overtures  from  Mr.  Adams  or  his  friend. 


ALVIN  ADAMS: 


475 


“ There  was  not  business  enough  for  two  lines.  Ham- 
den had  the  franchise  of  the  road.  He  did  his  work 
well,  and  the  company  would  not  interfere.” 

Alvin  Adams  was  now  fully  awake.  He  saw  there 
was  money  in  the  business.  He  proposed  to  take  a 
hand  in  it.  He  did  not  mean  to  be  headed  otf  by  any- 
body. He  started  to  New  York  to  interview  Coit,  of 
the  Norwich  boats.  Coit  would  do  nothing.  He  de- 
nounced the  expressmen  as  nuisances.  One  line  was 
quite  enough  for  the  land,”  he  said.  Adams  next 
visited  the  office  of  the  Stonington  boat.  He  changed 
his  tactics.  ‘‘  I want  two  season  tickets  between  Bos- 
ton and  New  York.”  ‘‘How  often  do  you  want  to 
travel  ?”  “As  often  as  I choose.  That  is  what  a season 
ticket  means,  I believe.”  “I  know  what  you  are 
after,”  said  the  official,  “but  you  shall  have  the  tick- 
ets.” He  put  one  in  his  pocket,  and  handed  the  other 
to  his  alternate.  With  the  small  sum  of  money  he  had 
borrowed,  with  a large  reserve  of  industry,  integrity, 
and  good  faith,  “Adams  Express  Company”  was 
formed,  and  started  on  its  marvelous  career  of  succsss. 

Hamden  was  in  the  field  and  was  the  expressman  of 
the  hour.  His  office — “9  Court  street,  Boston,” — was 
well  known  even  then  among  business  men.  He 
vacated  the  premises  because  he  thought  he  could  do 
better.  Adams  at  once  leased  that  noted  place  and 
held  it  for  years.  He  had  no  friends  to  back  him,  and 
no  money  to  push  him  along.  A small  trunk  held  all 
the  packages  of  the  first  day’s  work,  and  the  cash  re- 
ceipts were  two  dollars  and  seventy-five  cents.  Every- 
thing was  done  in  an  unobtrusive  manner.  Adams 
went  to  New  York  one  day  and  returned  the  next. 
His  express  matter  he  carried  as  personal  baggage.  A 
friendly  hand  took  his  bag  holding  his  money.  And 
the  amount  was  small.  Adams  took  his  frugal  lunch, 
lived  like  a hermit,  and  worked  like  a horse.  Hamden’ s 


476 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


messenger  traveled  on  tlie  same  boat  and  traveled  in 
style.  He  sat  down  to  a sumptuous  meal  and  lived  on 
the  fat  of  the  land.  He  made  himself  merr}^  over  his 
humble  rival.  He  said  one  day,  ‘‘Adams,  what  do  you 
expect  to  gain  ? There  can  be  but  one  express  between 
Boston  and  New  York,  and  that  is  Hamden’s.  You 
had  better  give  it  up.” 

All  the  advantages  seemed  to  be  on  the  side  of 
Hamden.  He  had  the  public  confidence,  while  Adams 
was  struggling.  Harden  lived  in  luxury,  while  Adams 
had  scarcely  enough  to  eat.  There  was  a great  con- 
trast between  the  men.  Hamden  was  seldom  at  his 
office  ; Adams  seldom  away.  Hamden  delegated  every- 
thing he  could  ; Adams  gave  personal  attention  to  the 
smallest  matter.  Adams  knew  the  power  of  the  press, 
and  won  it  to  his  side.  He  gathered  news  items  and 
carried  them  to  the  editorial  rooms.  He  got  his  re- 
ward by  kind  editorials  praising  him.  He  nearly  ran 
his  legs  off  in  New  York  and  Boston,  leaving  cards  at 
business  houses,  soliciting  customers.  His  rivals  knew 
that  such  perseverance  and  courage  would  win.  All 
sorts  of  stories  were  put  afloat.  It  was  said  that 
Adams  was  poor  and  irresponsible.  He  could  not 
make  good  any  losses  that  might  occur.  These  rumors 
did  their  work  for  a time.  Moneyed  institutions  kept 
aloof  from  the  new  new  company.  Valuable  packages 
sought  other  channels. 

The  New  York  end  of  the  express  was  not  well 
managed.  Adams  was  in  want  of  capital.  A man 
offered  some  money  on  condition  that  his  son  should 
be  put  in  charge  of  the  business  in  New  York.  The 
young  man  was  wild,  drove  fast  horses,  and  indulged 
in  other  fast  things.  He  had  a friend  with  whom  he 
had  made  a covenant,  that  if  a good  thing  turned  up 
each  should  share  with  the  other.  The  superintendent 
called  in  his  young  friend.  He  was  an  excellent  ac- 


ALVm  ADAMS. 


477 


coiintant  and  excellent  penman.  He  was  keen,  enthu- 
siastic and  pushing.  His  brother-in-law  took  him  out 
of  a harness  shop  and  trained  him  to  business.  This 
young  man  was  no  other  than  William  B.  Dinsmore, 
the  renowned  president  of  Adams  Express  Company. 
He  had  clerked  it  in  l^ew  Orleans  and  other  places 
South  and  West,  and  then  drifted  to  New  York. 
Adams  was  an  excellent  judge  of  men.  He  projjosed 
to  make  a change  at  New  York  ; to  remove  the  fast 
young  man  and  put  Dinsmore  in  his  place.  Dinsmore 
had  no  money,  and  Adams  wanted  capital  to  enlarge 
his  business.  He  had  sense  enough  to  see  that  an  effi- 
cient poor  man  was  worth  more  to  him  than  a man 
with  capital  without  capacity.  He  made  an  easy  bar- 
gain with  Dinsmore.  He  sold  a part  of  the  business 
for  one  thousand  dollars — one-half  cash,  one-half  note. 
Dinsmore  proved  to  be  the  fitting  man  for  the  fitting 
place.  His  elegant  iDenmanship,  his  marked  financial 
ability,  his  business  push,  his  integrity,  had  a fair 
field.  He  had  great  executive  force,  with  an  eye  for 
smart  men.  He  found  John  Hoey  selling  papers  on 
the  cars.  He  transferred  him  to  the  express  office,  and 
transformed  him  into  one  of  the  ablest  expressmen  of 
the  age. 

A brighter  day  dawned  for  Mr.  Adams.  The  Wor- 
cester road  saw  its  mistake  in  shutting  off  so  energetic 
a man,  and  sent  word  to  him:  ‘Mf  you  want  our  line 
you  can  have  it.-’  The  road  between  Norwich  and 
New  London  was  then  not  built.  The  Sound  boats 
were  poor,  and  often  were  laid  up  during  the  winter. 
Nothing  dampened  the  ardor  of  Alvin  Adams.  He 
was  prompt,  resolute,  unfaltering.  He  was  always 
around.  One  day  in  the  Suffolk  Bank  he  saw  several 
money  packages  marked  ‘ ‘ New  Y ork.  ” ‘ ‘ You  don’ t 

send  money  by  us,”  said  Adams.  “How  do  we  know 
that  you  are  sound  ?”  Adams  went  at  once  into  the 


478 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS, 


detail  of  his  business.  The  next  day  a package  came 
from  the  bank.  Confidence  increased.  Adams  Express 
Company  became  the  great  carriers  of  the  nation. 

Stevens,  of  the  Camden  and  Amboy  road,  was  the 
railroad  autocrat  of  his  day.  He  looked  upon  express- 
age  as  an  intruder  and  an  antagonist.  Express  freight 
had  to  be  smuggled  over  the  road.  Packages  were 
nailed  up  in  boxes,  sent  as  freight,  and  distributed  in. 
Philadelphia  or  Hew  York.  Money  could  only  be  car- 
ried in  small  bags.  These  were  often  ]3ut  into  friendl}^ 
hands.  Mr.  Adams  attempted  to  mollify  the  position. 
He  went  to  Hew  Jersey,  and  met  Stevens  coming  from 
a board  meeting.  He  was  cranky  and  uncivil.  He 
charged  Adams  with  defrauding  the  company, — smug- 
gling express  freight  over  the  road.  Adams  was  frank 
and  manly.  He  told  Stevens  that  the  Camden  and 
Amboy  road  would  have  to  carry  express  freight ; if 
not  in  one  way  they  would  have  to  in  another.  In  a five 
minute  talk  he  mapped  out  his  plan,  and  said  to  Ste- 
vens : Give  us  a contract ; it  will  be  for  your  advan- 
tage and  for  ours.”  In  his  gruff  way,  Stevens  said: 
“The  Board  go  ujj  the  road  to-morrow.  If  you  are 
here  at  nine  o’clock,  you  can  go  with  us,  and  we  will 
talk  the  matter  over.”  Adams  was  promptly  on  hand. 
The  president  was  irritable  and  in  ill-humor.  He  again 
charged  Adams  with  defrauding  the  road.  He  re- 
peated the  accusation  of  smuggling  freight.  Adams 
met  the  charge  like  a man.  He  threw  the  blame  on 
the  directors.  They  had  refused  all  honorable  terms. 
He  showed. how  much  better  it  would  be  for  the  road 
to  charge  reasonably  for  express  freight,  than  to  send 
it  as  now  in  bulk.  He  made  an  offer,  fair  towards  him- 
self and  honorable  towards  the  road.  Stevens  turned 
to  the  vice-president,  and  said  : “ Make  a contract  with 
Mr.  Adams  for  thirty  days,  and  see  how  it  works.” 
As  the  papers  were  signed,  the  vice-president  said  ; 


OREGONIA— OUTLOOK  OF  THE  STATE. 


479 


This  contract  is  for  thirty  days.  It  may  last  thirty 
years.”  It  did.  Through  all  these  years  the  express 
freight  was  carried  on  the  contract  so  grudgingly 
given  in  the  president’s  car,  going  at  the  rate  of  thirty 
miles  an  hour. 

Mr.  Adams  kept  the  Boston  end  of  the  express  line 
till  the  day  of  death.  He  became  a man  of  large  wealth. 
No  home  within  sight  of  the  State  House  dome  was 
more  elegant  than  the  palatial  residence  of  Mr.  Adams. 
His  ample  grounds  were  laid*  out  like  the  lawn  of  an 
English  lord.  They  were  thrown  open  to  the  public 
one  day  in  the  week  while  the  owner  lived.  He  kept 
to  the  last  the  simplicity  of  his  earlier  days.  With 
every  luxury  that  money  could  command,  and  thirty 
horses  in  his  stable,  he  took  the  horse-cars  daily  to  his 
business,  and  sat  in  his  office  as  long  as  lie  was  able  to 
sit  anywhere.  He  died  in  all  honor,  and  his  name  will 
be  handed  down  to  generations  that  are  to  come. 


CLIY. 

OREGONIA— OUTLOOK  OF  THE  STATE. 


REGON  is  the  New  England  of  the  West.  It 


has  the  New  England  climate 


in  Its 


best 


estate.  The  grass  is  green  from  Christnias 
to  Christmas.  The  cattle  browse  without 
shelter.  The  Walla  Walla  Valley  is  as  fertile  as  the 
Nile.  The  lofty  hills  are  terraced  to  the  summit  with 
heavy  grain.  The  ships  of  the  w^oiid,  loaded  with 
wheat,  bear  the  treasures  of  Oregon  to  all  parts  of  the 


480 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


globe.  Within  herself  Oregon  has  the  elements  of  a 
great  State.  Drought  is  never  known.  Her  wheat 
leads  the  market.  Her  pine  is  famous  on  all  the  coasts 
for  building  purposes.  Her  varied  fruits  are  in  de- 
mand wherever  commerce  floats.  Her  abundant  coal  is 
of  more  value  than  a gold  mine.  The  grape,  the  fig, 
the  almond,  and  other  tropical  fruits  flourish.  Her 
great  river,  ten  miles  wide  at  the  mouth,  and  a mile 
wide  for  one  hundred  miles  up,  bears  the  commerce  of 
the  age.  She  has  five  millions  invested  in  salmon  fish- 
eries at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia.  In  Oregon  men 
of  religion  and  education  come  to  the  front.  She  offers 
small  farms,  lands  with  a royal  yield  and  a ready  mar- 
ket for  everything  raised. 


CLV. 

BOSTON  TAKES  A HAND. 

N the  State  Department  at  Salem,  there  is  a 
silver  medal  voted  to  Captain  Gray  by  the 
merchants  of  Boston.  At  the  close  of  the 
Hevolutionary  w'ar  our  commerce  was  de- 
moralized. The  Boston  merchants  fitted  out  two  ships. 
They  were  sent  to  the  Northwest  to  trade  with  the  In- 
dians for  furs.  These  were  to  be  exchanged  in  China 
and  Japan  for  teas  and  silks.  Captain  Kendrick  com- 
manded the  Washington,  Captain  Gray  the  Columbia. 
The  ships  coasted  along  what  is  now  Oregon  and 
Washington  Territory.  Captain  Gray  believed  there 
was  a large  river  somewhere  as  an  outlet  to  the  moun- 


CITY  OF  PORTLAND. 


481 


tain  streams.  Captain  Kendrick  ridiculed  the  idea, 
and  sailed  down  the  coast.  Gray  followed  his  instincts, 
and  what  seemed  to  be  a bay,  turned  out  to  be  the 
mouth  of  a great  river.  He  named  the  waters  after  his 
own  ship.  In  the  54°  40'  excitement.  Captain  Gray 
was  a valuable  witness  against  the  British  claims.  Two 
prominent  gentlemen  settled  Portland.  A prominent 
citizen  wanted  the  city  named  after  the  tri-mountain 
capital.  A Portlander  wanted  Maine  represented.  A 
toss  of  a copper  decided  the  contest,  and  Portland 
won. 


CLVI. 

CITY  OF  POBTLAKD. 

ORTLAKD  is  situated  one  hundred  and 
twenty  miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  Colum- 
bia river.  The  town  is  on  the  Willamette, 
twelve  miles  from  its  junction  with  the 
Columbia.  The  river  scenery  is  that  of  Maine,  so  is 
the  climate  and  heavy  timber.  The  likeness  to  the 
city  of  Portland,  Maine,  is  very  extraordinary.  The 
houses  are  mainly  cottages,  quite  inexpensive,  sur- 
rounded by  gardens  and  shaded  by  trees.  Some  of  the 
dwellings  are  very  grand,  and  occupy  an  entire  square. 
An  Oregonian  has  a love  of  his  home  which  resembles 
the  love  of  a Jew  for  Mount  Zion.  No  land  is  so  fair, 
so  fertile,  so  wholesome,  with  so  brilliant  a future. 
The  people  have  great  independence  of  character. 
They  spurn  the  assumed  patronage  of  California.  They 
organized  a government  in  advance  of  Territorial  legisla- 
31 


482 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


tion.  They  made  their  own  coin  out  of  pure  gold, 
with  dies  self-manufactured.  To  set  up  a paper,  Mr. 
Curry,  a Boston  man,  made  his  own  font  of  type. 
Individually  the  Oregonians  are  the  richest  people  on 
the  coast.  The  snow-capped  mountains  which  sur- 
round Portland, — Hood,  Saint  Helena,  Adams,  and 
Banier, — are  picturesque  in  the  extreme.  The  schools 
of  Boston  and  New  York  do  not  excell  the  public 
schools  of  Portland.  The  churches  are  handsome,  and 
the  public  buildings  are  built  of  dark  sand-stone 
brought  from  Victoria. 


CLYII. 

GOVERNMENT  OF  OREGON. 

HE  State  government  is  very  peculiar.  The 
governor  has  a salary  of  fifteen  hundred 
dollars,  secretary  of  state,  fifteen  hundred 
dollars,  treasurer,  eight  hundred  dollars, 
judges,  two  thousand  each.  The  district  judges  com- 
pose the  Supreme  Court,  and  can  confirm  or  review 
their  own  decision.  The  legislature  is  biennial.  The 
session  lasts  forty  days,  and  the  members  are  paid 
three  dollars  per  diem.  There  is  no  lieutenant- 
governor.  When  the  office  of  governor  is  vacant  the 
secretary  of  state  fills  the  unexpired  term.  The  State 
salaries  are  ridiculously  small.  No  man  can  live  on 
the  salary.  Commissions  help  out  wonderfully.  The 
governor  and  secretary  of  state  receive  five  thousand. 
The  office  of  treasurer  is  worth  more  than  that.  The 
judges  receive  a thousand  dollars  for  expenses. 


EON.  HENRY  W.  CORBIT. 


483 


CLYIII. 

HOIST.  HEJSTRY  W.  CORBIT. 

R.  CORBIT  is  one  of  the  successful  men  of 
the  State.  His  house  is  one  of  the  most  ele- 
gant west  of  San  Francisco.  He  occupies 
a square  in  the  heart  of  the  city  valued  at 
one  hundred  thousand  dollars.  He  bought  the  lot  for 
two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and  built  on  it  a log 
house  with  his  own  hands.  He  was  brought  up  in  a 
country  store  in  Massachusetts.  His  small  salary  was 
traded  out  by  his  father.  A country  cousin  was  in 
New  York  on  a salary  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars. 
Young  Corbit  could  see  no  reason  why  he  could  not 
secure  a like  sum  for  himself.  He  began  on  a salary 
of  three  dollars  a week.  He  was  very  capable,  talented, 
and  grew  in  favor.  He  selected  Oregon  as  his  future 
home.  He  declined  a partnership  which  his  employers 
offered  him.  The  men  whom  he  served  drove  a hard 
bargain  with  him.  They  offered  him  credit  to  the 
amount  of  twenty  thousand  dollars  on  condition  that 
he  would  give  the  firm  one-half  of  his  profits.  He  divided 
nineteen  thousand  dollars  with  the  firm.  His  shrewd- 
ness and  success  were  so  apparent  that  the  offer  of  part- 
nership was  renewed.  On  examining  the  New  York 
books,  he  rejected  the  proposal.  He  had  rather  trade 
in  Oregon  than  New  York.  He  could  make  more 
money  alone  than  hampered  by  partners.  He  is  the 
richest  man  in  Oregon  to-day.  He  has  sat  in  the 
United  States  Senate.  He  is  held  in  all  honor,  and 
higher  political  distinction  awaits  him. 


484 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS, 


CLIX. 

BISHOP  MORHIS. 

R.  MORRIS  is  a representative  man  ; he  re- 
sides in  Saint  Helen’s  Hall,  an  educational 
institution,  the  headquarters  of  the  church 
in  the  Northwest.  He  was  called  from  a 
church  in  Germantown  to  his  diocese,  which  includes 
Idaho  and  Washington  Territory.  He  is  about  sixty 
years  of  age ; a man  of  immense  nervous  force,  with 
great  executive  ability ; a sturdy  churchman,  but  pop- 
ular with  outsiders. 


puted  to 
dwelling. 


CLX. 

BEN  HOLLADAY. 

REGON  has  been  the  home  of  many  success- 
ful men.  General  Baker,  General  Williams 
are  specimens.  Holladay  was  for  many 
years  a potentate  of  Portland.  He  was  re- 
be  very  rich,  and  occupied  an  ambitious 
He  lived  in  state, — a hard,  imperious,  lordly 
with  a rod  of  iron.  He 
was  a great  stage-owner  of  the  coast.  His  ambition 
made  him  grapple  with  the  railroads,  and  steamboats, 
and  the  great  enterprises  of  the  day.  When  he  trav- 
eled he  made  everybody  uncomfortable,  by  taking  the 
best  part  of  the  boat  to  himself.  Everything  he 
touched  turned  into  gold.  His  time  came  at  last,  as  it 
comes  to  every  one  sooner  or  later.  His  immense 
transactions,  when  the  tide  turned,  carried  him  under. 
He  has  joined  the  great  throng  of  bankrupt  men. 


man,  ruling  his  subordinates 


RELIGION  IN  OREGON— 8.  G.  REED. 


485 


CLXI. 

KELIGION  IN  OREGON. 

HE  population  which,  settled  Oregon  were 
very  unlike  the  men  who  settled  San  Fran- 
cisco. In  Oregon,  religion  and  education 
came  to  the  front.  They  find  supporters 
and  friends  in  the  leading  men  of  the  State.  The  dif- 
ferent sects,  which  are  well  represented,  attend  each 
others’  services.  This  is  true  of  Jews,  Roman  Catholics, 
and  Churchmen.  General  Howard  and  his  staff  give 
decided  assistance  to  the  popular  religions  movements 
of  the  day.  The  Presbyterians  have  a healthy  and 
vigorous  congregation.  The  Congregationalists  lead  in 
the  aggressive  movements  of  the  day,  with  a dash  of 
sensationalism.  The  Unitarians  are  represented  by  a 
small  but  very  respectable  congregation.  The  Episco- 
palians are  wealthy,  and  the  Methodists  occupy  the 
largest  church  in  the  city. 


CLXII. 

S.  G.  REED. 

REGON  is  greatly  indebted  to  the  public 
spirit  of  Mr.  Reed,  for  its  present  prosper- 
ous condition.  The  great  want  of  Oregon  is 
carrying  facilities.  Steamboat  routes  have 
been  opened  and  lines  of  railroad  are  being  constructed 
everywhere  to  facilitate  the  transportation  of  fruits  to 


486 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


market.  As  vice-president  of  the  Steam  Navigation 
Company,  Mr.  E-eed  has  infused  an  energy  and  success 
into  this  department,  that  insures  the  future  of  Oregon. 
His  large  fortune,  which  he  has  earned  by  his  own  in- 
dustry and  intelligence,  he  pours  out  like  water  to 
develop  the  resources  of  the  Northwest.  Mr.  Heed 
reflects  great  credit  on  the  prosperous  town  of  East 
Abington,  where  he  was  born. 


CLXIII. 

JAMES  W.  EANNEY. 

E.  EANNEY  is  an  eminent  physician  of 
New  York.  He  belongs  to  an  eminent 
family.  He  is  one  of  thirteen  children, — 
nine  sons  and  four  daughters.  Seven  of 
the  sons  are  prominent  physicians.  One  holds  the 
front  rank  at  the  Boston  Bar.  One  was  an  eloquent, 
successful  preacher,  whose  ‘‘sun  went  down  while  it 
was  yet  day.”  The  father  of  Hr.  Eanney  was  a noted 
practitioner  of  forty  years’  standing.  His  name  was 
Watstill  E.  Eanney.  In  his  Vermont  home  he  held 
an  exalted  place  as  a physician,  a patriot  and  a states- 
man. He  was  a member  of  the  Senate  and  House  of 
Vermont.  He  was  elected  lieutenant-governor,  and 
filled  that  political  position  with  honor  to  himself  and 
party.  His  income  from  his  profession  was  small, 
averaging  not  over  seven  hundred  dollars  a year.  By 
economy,  industry  and  prudence,  he  educated  a huge 
family,  and  left  a handsome  legacy  to  his  sons  and 


JAMES  W.  RANNET. 


487 


daughters.  He  lived  to  see  all  his  children  successful 
in  life. 

Dr.  James  W.  Hanney  was  born  in  Townshend, 
Vermont.  His  early  training  developed  both  mind 
and  body.  He  divided  his  boyhood  between  the 
school-house  and  the  farm.  At  thirteen,  he  left  the 
school  for  the  academy.  At  fifteen,  he  began  to  earn 
his  own  living.  That  common  resource  of  a smart 
New  England  boy, — ‘‘school-keeping” — was  open  to 
him.  He  accepted  both  the  drudgery  and  the  pay  of 
the  position.  He  taught  school  in  the  winter,  and  in 
the  spring  and  summer  he  “hired  out”  on  a farm. 
At  twenty-two,  he  entered  Middlebury  College.  By 
hard  work  he  pushed  his  way  through  to  his  gradua- 
tion. He  had  no  aid  but  what  came  to  him  through 
hard  work.  Teaching,  manual  labor,  and  close  study, 
carried  him  through  his  collegiate  and  medical  course. 
He  graduated  from  the  New  York  University  of  Medi- 
cine, and  commenced  practice  in  Bennington,  Vermont. 
He  took  a front  rank  at  once  in  his  native  State.  His 
practice  included  a circuit  of  twenty  miles,  and  he 
“doctored”  nearly  everybody  within  that  circuit. 
He  soon  outgrew  his  position.  . New  York  offered  a 
full,  fair  field  for  his  abilities.  He  wanted  all  the 
facilities  for  improvement  afforded  by  the  libraries, 
lectures,  infirmaries,  colleges  and  hospitals  of  a city. 
He  left  a brother  to  succeed  to  his  rural  practice. 

Within  one  year  after  his  removal  to  the  city.  Dr. 
Ranney  was  elected  to  the  common  council.  In  three 
years,  so  great  was  his  practice,  that  he  had  to  wholly 
withdraw  from  political  life.  His  increased  practice 
demanded  assistance,  and  he  called  in  the  aid  of  a 
brother  from  the  country.  This  brother  was  soon  able 
to  take  care  of  himself,  and  then  another  brother  was 
installed.  When  his  increased  practice  took  him  away. 


488 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


Dr.  Ranney  aided  another,  and  set  him  up  in  a pay- 
ing practice. 

In  1860,  Dr.  Ranney  was  elected  coroner  of  New 
York  city,  and  for  three  years  held  the  position  with 
great  credit  and  acceptance.  Besides  the  great 
talents  that  make  Dr.  Ranney  so  eminent  and  popular 
as  a superior  physician,  he  possesses  an  eminent  judi- 
cial mind,  blended  with  tine  judgment  and  fair- 
mindedness.  For  over  twenty  years  he  has  been  con- 
nected with  twelve  leading  railroads,  as  surgeon  and 
attending  j^Fysician,  settling  suits  for  injuries,  pre- 
venting lawsuits,  and  adjusting  troubles,  and  doing 
more  of  that  kind  of  work  than  any  man  in  the  state. 
He  has  been  largely  employed  in  the  care  of  estates ; 
he  has  often  been  selected  as  the  guardian  for  widows 
and  orphans.  In  this  field  his  fidelity  and  intelligence 
come  into  full  play.  He  is  the  consulting  physician  in 
numerous  cases,  and  is  frequently  from  home  in  this 
capacity.  He  has  made  lunacy  a specialty,  and  often 
has  acted  as  a commissioner  of  lunacy. 

Dr.  Ranney  is  one  of  the  few  professional  men  who 
never  leave  home  in  the  summer,  unless  away  on 
professional  business.  The  only  summer  he  has  passed 
out  of  New  York,  was  one  in  which  he  spent  six  weeks 
at  Saratoga,  under  an  appointment  as  physician  at 
Congress  Hall. 

Dr.  Ranney  has  an  elegant  home  in  New  York.  He 
married  a daughter  of  Dr.  John  Hunter,  a lady  of  great 
intelligence,  grace  and  accomplishments.  Three  chil- 
dren— daughters — have  been  born  to  him.  The  eldest 
was  married  to  Mr.  E.  T.  Clark,  an  eminent  New  York  , 
merchant.  Dr.  Ranney  has  been  as  successful  in  busi- 
ness as  he  has  been  skillful  in  medicine.  By  indomitable 
energy  and  industry,  he  has  amassed  property  valued 
at  a quarter  of  a million.  He  is  an  active  Christian 
man,  cheery,  intelligent,  large-hearted,  possessed  of  a 


JAMES  GOBDON  BENNETT. 


489 


good  constitution,  and  gifted  with  good  digestion. 
He  is  a pleasant  companion  in  matters  of  family,  of 
state,  and  of  the  church.  Since  the  opening  of  Rev. 
Mr.  Hepworth’s  Society,  Hr.  Ranney  has  been  a stead- 
fast friend,  and  a liberal  supporter  of  this  enterprise. 
He  is  senior  deacon  and  trustee  of  the  congregation. 
He  has  great  control  over  the  young.  For  years  he 
has  conducted  a large  Bible  class  composed  of  young 
men,  and  his  influence  for  good  will  go  down  to  many 
generations. 


CLXIY. 

JAMES  GORDON  BENNETT. 

DEEM  it  meet  to  close  this  work  with  a 
paper  on  one  of  the  most  remarkable  busi- 
ness young  men  of  the  age.  Mr.  Bennett  is 
about  thirty-seven  years  old.  He  is  known  in 
every  place  where  the  English  language  is  spoken  and 
wherever  the  sails  of  commerce  whiten  any  sea.  He  is 
as  well  known  in  London  as  is  Beaconfield.  He  has 
more  influence  at  the  court  of  St.  Cloud  than  Glad- 
stone. His  paper  is  more  thumbed  by  Bismarck  than  the 
London  Times.  This,  not  for  what  he  has  inherited  ; 
but  for  what  he  has  done,  and  is  doing. 

Mr.  Bennett  inherited  from  his  father  fame,  fortune, 
and  a magnificent  business.  To  have  held  the  Herald 
business  as  it  was  received,  like  a steamer,  teeth  to  the 
gale,  would  have  been  an  exploit  worthy  the  ambition 
of  most  men.  To  have  carried  the  business  onward  to 
an  enlargement,  and  to  its  mammoth  proportions. 


490 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


would  have  been  beyond  the  wildest  dreams  of  an  en- 
thusiast. It  was  a measuring  cast,  whether  young 
Bennett  would  follow  in  the  wake  of  rich  mens’  sons  or 
not.  Whether  he  would  repeat  the  old  proverb  of  a 
“price  in  the  hand  of  a fool  to  get  wisdom.”  Whether 
he  would  let  the  glittering  prize  slip  through  his  fin- 
gers ; fling  away  golden  opportunities  ; or  whether 
he  would  arise  to  the  dignity  of  the  occasion  and  con- 
tinue the  Herald  as  a power  in  the  world.  There  has 
been  no  waning  ; no  falling  off  ; no  retrenchment  of 
circulation  ; no  wearing  out  of  machinery  ; no  decrease 
of  power  at  home  or  abroad.  From  the  hour  of  young 
Bennett’s  ascension  as  Editor-in-Chief  of  the  Herald., 
vigor,  life,  enthusiasm,  enterprise,  marvelous  and  daz- 
zling, have  distinguished  his  career. 

Few  persons  knew  anything  of  Mr.  Bennett’s  busi- 
ness abilities ; of  his  executive  force  ; of  his  capacity 
to  conduct  the  leading  journal  of  the  continent.  He 
was  known  as  a jovial,  merry,  large-hearted  athlete, 
fond  of  manly  sports,  liberal,  social,  and  happy  in 
domestic  life.  Few  understood  his  nature  ; that  he 
came  from  a hardy  race,  fond  of  athletic  sports  ; with 
whom  the  old  English  games  were  dear  as  home  memo- 
ries. Few  knew  that  Mr.  Bennett  regarded  national 
pastimes  as  a national  necessity  ; that  to  cultivate 
manly  sports  was  to  give  tranquillity  to  a people.  Even 
to-day  it  is  difficult  to  make  men  see  how  the  med- 
dling of  the  Puritans  with  the  old  English  customs 
made  the  nation  sullen  ; that  had  they  let  the  amuse- 
ments of  England  alone,  Cromwell’s  descendants  might 
have  ruled  the  British  Empire  to-day.  Fewer  still  are 
the  number  who  discern  how  Mr.  Bennett’s  pastimes 
really  aid  him  in  the  business  he  has  in  hand  ; hoAv  his 
sports  are  the  mere  froth  of  the  pewter,  indicating 
stout  liquor  below. 

James  Gordon  Bennett  is  the  sole  proprietor  and 


JAMES  GORDON  BENNETT. 


491 


managing  editor  of  the  Herald.  Solomon  built  the 
Temple  ; but  he  did  not  hew  down  the  cedars  of  Leba- 
non, nor  chisel  the  marble  in  the  quarry.  Single- 
handed  and  alone  Mr.  Bennett  does  not  attempt  to  run 
the  Herald.  He  is  assisted  by  a corps  of  thirty 
editors,  embracing  some  of  the  brightest  intellects  and 
ablest  writers  of  the  country.  A council  of  editors  is 
held  daily.  Whether  present  or  absent,  Mr.  Bennett 
breathes  into  this  council  the  tone  and  policy  of  the 
paper,  according  to  his  own  idea.  When  not  present 
he  reaches  his  associates  by  wires,  whether  in  Europe 
or  America,  and  directs  the  course  of  his  paper.  He 
is  a liberal  patron  of  the  telegraph,  and  has  spent  for 
special  service,  since  the  completion  of  the  cables, 
over  a quarter  of  a million,  gold. 

Mr.  Bennett  is  the  head  of  the  Herald  establish- 
ment. He  is  manager  in  detail,  as  well  as  in  gross.  It 
costs  nearly  two  millions  a year  to  run  the  Herald. 
No  one  puts  the  profits  of  the  paper  at  a less  sum  than 
eight  hundred  thousand  dollars  a year.  The  business 
of  the  Herald^  with  its  army  of  employees,  and  its 
huge  expenditures,  follow  the  drum-beat  of  England, 
round  the  world.  The  profits  of  a single  Sabbath’s 
issue  have  reached  the  high  sum  of  fourteen  thousand 
dollars.  This  mammoth  business  Mr.  Bennett  holds 
in  his  own  hands.  He  knows  every  employee,  what  is 
paid  him,  and  what  he  is  about.  He  knows  what  it 
costs  to  run  the  Herald^  and  where  the  money  goes — 
from  the  price  of  a bunch  of  envelopes  or  a box  of 
pens.  His  personal  oversight  enables  him  to  know 
when  he  gets  honest  services  for  honest  money.  Such 
an  oversight  could  only  be  secured  by  a system  at  once 
intelligent  and  rigidly  adhered  to.  Mr.  Bennett  is 
economical  where  economy  is  a virtue  ; lavish  where  it 
will  make  the  Herald  great.  He  can  command  any 


492 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


assistance  that  he  needs.  He  knows  when  he  is  well 
served,  and  is  a generous  paymaster. 

HEHALD  ESTABLISHMENT. 

First  comes  the  council  of  editors,  at  the  head  of 
which  stands  Mr.  Bennett  himself.  He  solely  directs 
the  course  of  his  paper. 

The  City  Depaetment  is  manned  by  a force  of 
nearly  one  hundred  employees,  who  are  organized 
under  a chief.  The  compositors  number  one  hundred 
and  fifty,  who  can  earn  from  twenty  to  one  hundred 
dollars  a week.  The  work  is  done  between  the  hours 
of  seven  at  night  and  three  in  the  morning.  On  spe- 
cial occasions  one  million  of  “ ems  ” have  been  set  up 
in  a single  night — sufiicient  to  fill  a volume  of  five  hun- 
dred pages. 

The  Herald  is  not  printed  from  the  type  itself  ; but 
from  stereotype  plates.  The  main  sheet  of  the  pa^Der 
containing  the  latest  news,  is  not  put  to  press  till  three 
o’clock  in  the  morning.  The  Herald  is  then  run  off  by 
the  aid  of  six  Bullock  presses  with  one  hundred  and 
twelve  stereotype  plates,  and  one  Victory  press,  with 
its  folding  machine,  that  the  edition  may  reach  early 
trains  and  mails.  The  metal  necessary  for  the  Herald 
plates  for  one  issue  weighs  five  tons.  The  plates  are 
cast  at  the  rate  of  one  per  minute.  The  stereotype 
department  is  the  most  complete  of  any  newspaper  in 
the  world  ; the  machinery  the  best,  and  it  is  run  by  the 
best  skilled  labor.  A force  of  sixteen  men  do  the  work. 

Mr.‘  Bennett’s  genius,  intelligence  and  liberality 
comes  out  in  the  press-eoom.  The  old  presses  and 
machinery  have  been  removed.  Six  new  double  Bul- 
lock presses  have  been  substituted — to  which  has  been 


JAMES  GORDON  BENNETT. 


493 


added  a new  perfecting  double  Victory,  that  prints  and 
folds  sixteen  thousand  copies  of  the  Herald  per  hour. 
The  Bullock  can  print  twenty  thousand  perfect  copies 
of  the  Herald  per  hour.  These  presses  receive  the  pa- 
per in  a continuous  web,  printed  oii  both  sides.  They 
divide  the  twin  sheets — cut  them  off — flirt  them  out 
in  four  piles  and  at  the  rate  of  twenty  thousand  per 
hour  for  each  double  press.  The  seven  presses  can 
easily  turn  out  127,000  copies  of  the  Herald  in  an  hour. 
They  could  turn  out  140,000  copies  per  hour.  Former- 
ly the  paper  had  to  go  to  press  at  one  o’clock  in  the 
morning.  The  perfection  of  machinery  enables  the 
proprietor  to  hold  back  eight  pages  as  late  as  three 
o’clock  in  the  morning.  A force  of  not  over  twenty- 
five  men  are  needed  to  issue  the  daily  Herald  on  the 
presses. 

The  department  for  delivery'and  mailing  is  perfect. 
The  working  is  marvelous.  Thirty  men  are  employed 
counting,  folding,  wrapping,  and  distributing  papers. 
A dozen  wagons  await  their  loads  of  the  Herald  for  the 
fast  mail-trains.  The  news  companies  take  the  papers 
to  their  own  ofiices  for  distribution.  Bags  of  various 
colors  assist  mail-masters  in  their  duty.  Thousands 
of  papers  are  required  for  up-town,  down-town,  Brook- 
lyn, New  Jersey,  and  along  the  shore.  By  five  o’clock 
the  demand  is  supplied.  On  Sunday  morning  a longer 
time  is  needed  to  distribute  a.  quadruple  sheet,  equal- 
ing 260,000  copies  of  the  regular  size  of  the  Herald. 

The  enormous  adveetising  of  the  Herald  is  ap- 
parent. A single  Sabbath’s  history  tells  the  story  of  a 
a steadily -increasing  business  from  month  to  month : 
Separate  advertisements,  nearly  4,000  ; classified  under 
73  headings — real  estate,  360  ; religion,  30  ; amuse- 


494 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS, 


merits,  76  ; dry-goods,  42  ; wants,  450  ; finance,  127 ; 
boarding,  445 ; marriages,  69  ; deaths,  87. 

The  London  Times  is  the  only  journal  that  in  this 
department  can  compare  with  the  Herald.  But  the 
Herald  outdistances  the  Thunderer  in  the  number  of 
its  advertisements,  in  classification,  in  lateness  of  the 
hour  in  which  an  advertisement  can  be  received  and 
inserted,  and  in  the  large  force  of  messengers,  boys 
and  men,  to  do  the  work. 

Summing  all  up,  one’ s breath  is  almost  taken  away 
by  the  vastness  and  perfection  of  the  machinery  that 
runs  the  Herald.  It  has  leading  bureaus  in  London, 
Paris,  Washington,  Boston,  Richmond,  and  Philadel- 
phia ; steam-yachts  at  Sandy  Hook  and  Whitestone 
to  transmit  ship-news  through  the  London  and  Paris 
offices,  cable  shipping  news  in  advance  of  the  Asso- 
ciated Press  ; notices  to  merchants  and  captains  around 
the  world,  free  of  charge  ; steam -yachts  int^trcejjting 
vessels  off  the  coast,  and  by  special  wire,  giving  the 
earliest  and  most  reliable  ship  news. 

Yet  more  can  be  said  ! The  unrivalled  foreign  cor- 
respondence of  the  Herald ; the  elaborate  expendi- 
tures in  the  Franco-Prussian  war ; the  Turkish-Rus- 
sian  war ; the  Abyssinia  news  in  advance  of  the  Eng- 
lish government ; the  Stanley  expedition  to  Central 
Africa  ; the  discovery  of  Livingstone,  and  the  source 
of  the  Mle  ; matched  reports  and  targets  by  cable  ; 
special  trains  to  the  great  cities  of  the  country  ; the 
expedition  to  the  North  Pole  ; the  trans-continental  de- 
livery of  the  Herald  in  eighty  hours,  or  four  days  in 
advance  of  all  other  papers  ; the  leading  of  the  gov- 
ernment to  a system  of  fast  mail  trains,  and  thus  mak- 


JA3IE8  GORDON  BENNETT. 


495 


ing  the  Herald  known  on  both  sides  of  the  ocean. 
All  this  makes  a record  never  surpassed. 

Mr.  Bennett  is  still  a young  man,  and  admitted  to 
be  one  of  the  most  popular  in  America.  The  Herald 
establishment  shows  his  executive  force.  His  large 
gifts  to  charity,  discovery,  culture  and  art,  display 
his  unselfishness.  He  has  gained  European  fame  and 
national  repute,  and  has  placed  himself  among  the 
benefactors  of  the  age.  He  is  proud  of  his  city,  and 
has  done  much  to  honor  and  adorn  her.  He  has  an 
elegant  home  on  Fifth  avenue,  where  he  dispenses  a 
regal  hospitality,  and  where  he  has  served  to  him  those 
domestic  comforts  he  appreciates  so  highly.  He  has 
the  good  sense  to  make  the  great  gifts  he  inherited  the 
stepping-stones  to  higher  fame.  His  business  qualities 
are  known  in  the  four  quarters  of  the  globe. 

His  heroism  is  rehearsed  under  the  black  tent  of 
the  Bedouins,  and  on  the  burning  sands  of  Africa.  He 
will  yet  touch  the  North  Pole,  and  hang  the  American 
flag  upon  it.  In  coming  years,  on  some  panel  of  a lordly 
museum,  an  artist’s  pencil  will  perpetuate  the  touching 
story  of  the  search  for  Livingstone  amid  the  jungles  of 
Africa.  Mr.  Bennett  has  placed  his  name  on  the 
facade  of  the  industries  of  the  land,  that  no  wash  of 
ages  can  blur,  and  no  touch  of  Time’s  finger  can  efface. 


496 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


CLXY. 

MERCANTILE  OUTLOOK. 


NE  THOUSAND  NAMES  have  been  intro- 
duced into  this  book  to  illustrate  the  course 
of  successful  people.  Incidents  have  been 
taken  from  every  department  of  trade  and 
every  calling  in  life, — poets,  orators,  merchants,  artists, 
farmers,  mechanics,  inventors,  men  from  law,  physic, 
and  divinity  have  imparted  their  valuable  instruction. 
Men  who  live  by  brain  or  muscle  give  ns  the  benefit  of 
their  experience.  These  men  represent  all  nationali- 
ties and  climes,  speak  all  languages,  and  some  come 
down  from  the  early  years  of  mercantile  venture. 


All  tell  the  same  story.  Without  character  there 
is  no  permanent  success.  Men  may  trade  on  borrowed 
reputation  as  they  trade  on  borrowed  capital.  They 
stand  as  a huge  building  stands  on  an  insecure  founda- 
tion, ready  at  any  moment  to  be  a pile  of  ruin.  As  the 
rower  must  keep  up  his  stroke,  the  runner  his  wind, 
the  athlete  his  suppleness,  and  the  artist  his  touch,  so 
traders  must  keep  up  their  character,  and  must  keep 
abreast  of  the  times.  A heavy  wealthy  house  aban- 
doned trade  because  it  would  not  travel  out  of  the  old 
line  of  manufacture,  and  introduce  new  machinery. 


Ninety  per  cent,  of  all  business  men  fail.  Then 
ninety  per  cent  are  not  honest.  Valuable  brands  of 
flour  have  gone  out  of  market  because  the  millers  threw 
on  to  the  trade  a debased  article.  The  popularity  of 
water-proof  goods  waned,  when  the  standard  fell. 
Cottons  that  every  housekeeper  asked  for,  no  one 
wants.  Blacking  that  is  the  rage  one  month  is  diluted 


MERCANTILE  OUTLOOK. 


497 


and  thrown  out  of  market  the  next.  Prominent  men 
whose  repute  was  a fortune  have  had  to  answer  at  the 
bar  of  public  opinion  when  men  mistrusted  their  in- 
tegrity. Christian  statesmen  held  in  high  honor  have 
retired  to  private  life.  Christian  merchants  iDay  heavy 
fines  to  the  government,  and  pulpit  orators  of  great 
popularity,  bound  with  fetters  of  brass,  grind  in  the 
IDrison-house  of  the  Philistines. 

When  Daniel  Deew  threw  away  his  old  keenness, 
shrewdness,  and  foresight,  what  was  there  for  him  but 
bankruptcy?  He  did  not  lay  the  foundation  of  his 
fortune  by  speculation  in  fancy  stocks.  He  was  cool 
and  cautious  when  he  shaved  the  paper  of  the  Bull’s 
Head  drovers.  From  his  little  den  in  Wall  street, 
where  he  bought  uncurrent  money,  he  saw  how  ruinous 
a thing  stock  speculation  was.  He  treated  with  con- 
tempt the  fears  of  his  friends  who  followed  him  to  Jer- 
sey, and  begged  him  to  abandon  his  ruinous  course. 
He  knew  the  street  better  than  any  living  man.  He 
knew  the  great  bear,  Jacob  Little,  and  saw  him  plunge 
under  the  ruinous  wave  three  times.  He  knew  Lock- 
wood  as  a struggling  operator,  a millionare,  and  a 
bankrupt.  He  was  familiar  with  the  career  of  Morse^ 
Stockwell,  Jerome,  Fisk,  Stimson,  Kenyon,  and  knew 
what  swamped  them  all.  He  knew  that  Canton,  Quick- 
silver, Erie,  Wabash,  and  Toledo  were  as  dangerous  as 
a powder-flask  in  a chimney  corner.  Yet  he  went  like 
a fool  to  the  correction  of  the  stocks.” 

Brooks  the  clothier  began  life  in  a slopshop  in 
South  street.  The  trade  was  mainly  with  sailors  and 
the  profits  were  immense.  Poor  Jack  took  his  toggery 
to  sea,  and  complaint  was  of  no  avail  if  he  was  cheated. 
The  house  did  a large  business  on  the  breaking  out  of 
the  war,  and  by  laying  in  a heavy  stock  of  army  and 
navy  blue  a fortune  was  made. 

33 


498 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


A mercliant  of  distinction  and  success,  A.  A.  Low, 
has  been,  through  the  lifetime  of  a generation.  He 
possessed  marked  talents,  displayed  an  unbounded 
liberality,  and  his  honor  is  without  a stain.  His 
father,  a druggist  in  Salem,  failed,  and  he  came  to  New 
York  to  retrieve  his  fortunes.  Abbott  was  placed  in  a 
tea  store,  where  he  distinguished  himself  for  industry 
and  integrity.  When  quite  a young  man  he  was  sent 
to  China  as  supercargo.  There  he  laid  the  foundation 
of  his  great  fortune.  He  obtained  a footing  in  a large 
China  house,  and  went  on  to  wealth.  With  his  first 
earnings  he  paid  the  debts  of  his  father  dollar  for  dol- 
lar, and  earned  the  proud  title  of  the  merchants  of  the 
Bible — “a  trafficker,  the  honorable  of  the  earth.” 

It  was  the  rule  of  Geoege  Peabody  to  earn  his 
money  before  he  spent  it.  He  had  a rugged  boyhood, 
and  was  willing  to  work.  As  a London  banker  his 
success  was  no  accident.  He  was  cool,  cautious,  slow, 
safe.  In  1849  he  was  the  only  American  banker  in 
London.  He  bought  up  some  railroad  bonds  on  the 
market  that  were  not  popular,  and  these  brought  him 
into  notice.  He  had  talent  that  was  good  for  a long 
run.  He  was  not  imaginative,  was  slow  to  grasp,  and 
strong  to  hold  an  idea,  when  he  had  mastered  it.  The 
London  bankers  lived  high.  They  gave  generous 
dinners,  and  were  distinguished  for  lavish  expendi- 
tures. Peabody  had  none  of  this.  He  was  economical 
and  safe.  He  had  no  small  talk,  and  was  reticent. 
He  was  retiring  and  uncompanionable.  He  kept  no 
establishment,  never  owned  a carriage,  gave  vagrants 
a wide  berth,  and  was  charged  with  being  penurious. 
He  lived  at  the  cheapest  hotel,  walked  blocks  to  take  a 
second-class  car,  and  never  rode  when  he  could  go  on 
foot.  He  was  economical  in  his  dress  and  ex23enditure, 
and  did  his  business  in  a little  den,  where  there  was  no 


MERCANTILE  OUTLOOK. 


499 


cliance  for  loafing  and  no  room  for  a crowd.  He  had 
perfect  command  over  his  temper,  never  returned  a 
ha^ty  word,  and  kept  his  own  counsel.  He  obtained 
great  command  over  the  moneyed  men  of  the  Old 
World.  When  patronized  by  royalty,  and  the  street  in 
front  of  his  house  crowded  with  coronetted  carriages, 
he  maintained  his  simple  style  of  living,  and  to  the  last 
was  a commoner  and  a republican. 

JoHiv  Q.  Jones  was  one  of  the  most  eminent 
bankers  of  New  Nork.  For  years  he  was  the  president 
of  the  Chemical  Bank.  He  was  one  of  the  old-time 
financiers  of  the  city.  He  was  less  known  than  almost 
any  eminent  man  in  the  metropolis.  For  fifty  years 
he  had  plodded  along  in  the  same  old  fashion,  making 
his  bank  a power.  The  bank  is  full,  it  has  no  stock  to 
sell,  and  receives  no  deposits.  It  is  a State  bank  still ; 
it  has  never  suspended  or  changed.  Its  shares  of  the 
par  value  of  one  hundred  dollars  are  worth  sixteen 
hundred  dollars,  and  none  to  be  had  at  that.  The  bank 
has  made  itself  rich  by  honest  dealing.  The  president 
is  a bachelor;  takes  no  vacations,  and  never  leaves 
town  in  the  summer.  The  richest  men  in  the  city  and 
the  heaviest  depositors  are  his  patrons. 

E.  K.  Collins  was  at  one  time  a power  in  New 
York.  His  great  steamships,  his  captains  and  his  sub- 
sidies made  him  a magnate.  The  dock  was  usually 
crowded  on  the  day  the  steamers  sailed.  Collins,  in 
his  imperious  way,  paced  up  and  down  the  pier.  The 
crowd  recognized  his  importance  and  made  a path  for 
him.  Collins  had  a foolish  quarrel  with  Vanderbilt.  The 
old  commodore  told  him  that  he  would  run  him  off  the 
ocean.  And  he  did. 

Jones,  the  poetek,  was  as  well  known  to  business 
men  as  the  Astor  House  itself.  For  nearly  thirty  years 


500 


8UGGE88FUL  F0LK8. 


lie  was  the  baggage-master  of  the  hotel.  He  carried 
iip-stairs  the  trunks  of  the  most  eminent  men  of  the 
nation.  He  had  no  salary  during  all  these  years,  but 
amassed  a fortune.  Every  trunk  paid  him  a tribute. 
When  guests  forgot  him,  he  followed  them  to  the 
coach,  put  his  head  into  the  window  with  a quarter  in 
his  teeth,  and  hoped  their  baggage  was  all  right.  He 
never  blundered  about  the  bags,  and  nobody  was  left 
who  trusted  Mr.  Jones.  At  the  close  of  a day’s  work 
the  baggage-master  dressed  himself  up,  drew  on  his 
gloves,  and,  cane  in  hand,  would  start  for  his  elegant 
brown-stone  house  up-town.  He  left  money  enough  to 
make  all  his  relations  rich. 

Petee  Coopee  donated  five  hundred  thousand  dol- 
lars to  found  the  Cooper  Union.  He  had  a hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  left  as  a private  fortune.  He  had 
adhesiveness  enough,  like  the  material  out  of  which 
his  wealth  was  made,  to  plod  along  until  he  won  back 
in  trade  the  sum  that  the  Union  cost  him. 

Mackinnon  immortalized  himself  by  seizing  a for- 
tune at  the  fiood.  He  was  a colonel  of  the  Coldstream 
Guards.*  He  closed  the  gates  of  Hougom.onte  in  the 
face  of  Jerome  Bonaparte  and  the  French  army.  He 
saved  the  Duke  of  Wellington  and  the  British  forces. 
A lady  left  a fortune  ‘‘to  the  bravest  otficer  in  the 
army.”  The  executors  sent  the  money  to  the  Duke  of 
Wellington.  The  Duke  sent  the  bequest  to  Mackin- 
non.  He  accepted  it,  but  was  hero  enough  to  divide  it 
with  the  color-sergeant,  without  whose  aid  the  memora- 
ble gates  would  not  have  been  closed. 

The  METHODS  of  gain  are  various.  A man  opened 
a segar  store  near  the  great  money  center  of  the  city. 
He  proposed  to  keep  only  imported  segars,  and  those 


MERCANTILE  OUTLOOK. 


501 


of  the  best  quality.  Every  segar  sold  over  his  counter 
was  perfect,  but  the  price  was  high.  His  trade  was 
slow,  but  winning  sure.  He  made  his  fortune. 

There  is  an  old-time  chop-house  near  Wall  sireet. 
It  is  fifty  years  old.  The  room  is  low,  without  orna- 
ment, and  half  under-ground.  The  seats  are  stools, 
without  backs  ; the  tables  are  without  cloths,  and  the 
floors  are  sanded.  The  specialties  of  the  house,  are 
chops,  beef-s teaks,  English  mutton,  and  ale.  The  meats 
come  on  to  the  table  reeking  hot.  The  first  merchants 
in  New  York  stand  in  line  awaiting  their  turn.  The 
proprietor  serves  his  customers  with  his  coat  off.  He 
could  buy  a mansion  on  Fifth  avenue,  and  live  at  his 
ease,  if  he  chose.  He  made  his  entire  fortune  in  that 
little  den. 

A New  York  Quaker  makes  a specialty  of  corn- 
fed  pig  pork.  He  has  sold  the  article  for  half  a cen- 
tury. His  shop  is  in  an  unfashionable  spot,  a mile  west 
of  Broadway,  and  below  Bleecker.  The  coaches  of  the 
upper-ten  stop  at  his  door,  and  it  is  a great  thing  to  be 
served  by  him.  His  stock  is  limited,  but  he  has  a good 
article  or  nothing.  Of  course  he  is  rich. 

James  Lenox,  who  bears  the  family  name  and 
honors,  is  very  unlike  his  father  Robert,  the  founder 
of  the  house.  Robert  was  a very  popular  man,  and 
earned  his  own  fortune.  James  inherited  his,  and  is  a 
recluse.  He  has  kept  the  finest  statuary  and  paintings 
in  the  city  locked  up  in  his  private  gallery,  because 
the  public  annoyed  him  in  their  visitations. 

Governor  Morgan  was  introduced  into  New  York 
business  life  by  his  father,  an  eminent  Hartford  mer- 
chant. Edwin  began  trade  on  Front  street.  He  went 


502 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


out  on  a tour  of  collection,  and  instead  of  bringing 
home  money,  as  was  expected,  he  made  a venture  that 
astounded  his  house.  He  saw  that  there  was  money  in 
it,  and  boldly  offered  to  take  the  speculation  off  the 
hands  of  the  firm.  He  disposed  of  the  goods  at  a 
marked  profit,  and  his  employers  told  him  he  was  too 
smart  to  remain  in  a subordinate  position.  He  soon 
became  master  of  his  own  trade.  He  was  distinguished 
for  his  ability  in  business,  for  his  fairness,  for  per- 
sonal attention  and  integrity.  He  is  now  one  of  the 
richest  and  most  honored  citizens  of  New  York. 

William  E.  HoDaE  was  born  in  New  York.  His 
mother  kept  a thread  and  needle  store.  His  father  was 
a weigher  in  the  Custom-house.  At  one  time  he  taught 
school.  He  early  developed  a faculty  for  trade,  and 
entered  into  business  in  a small  way.  He  married  into 
a family  anvd  obtained  a footing,  first  as  a clerk,  and  then 
a partner.  For  many  years  he  stood  at  the  head  of 
the  mercantile  community.  He  was  a man  of  command- 
ing ability  and  distinguished  for  abounding  charities. 

Lyman  Heed  had  a peculiar  style  of  business.  He 
“ bulled  ” and  beared  ” groceries  as  stock  men 
‘‘bull”  and  “bear”  stocks.  He  “ cornered  ” coffee, 
sugar  and  molasses,  as  men  on  the  street  “corner”  gold 
and  greenbacks.  He  kept  the  market  on  the  jumj>, 
sold  short,  created  a panic,  and  did  things  that  would 
make  matters  lively.  He  did  what  was  very  unusual 
in  his  day  to  do  : buy  a cargo  of  coffee  or  of  tea,  one 
thousand  hogsheads  of  sugar,  or  one  thousand  hogs- 
heads of  molasses  ; he  would  throw  the  market  into  a 
spasm  by  turning  everything  loose  at  once.  He  made 
money  whether  the  articles  went  up  or  down.  If  the 
goods  went  up,  he  pocketed  the  profits,  if  they  went 
down,  he  bought  to  win  and  created  a corner.  In  ten 
years  he  made  half  a million. 


MERCANTILE  OUTLOOK. 


503 


Chakles  H.  Marshall  was  a noted  sMp-master. 
When  a boy  he  ran  away  from  home  and  went  to  sea. 
He  came  back  second  mate.  He  was  a resolute,  reliant, 
prompt  man,  and  very  rough  in  his  way.  He  was  ex- 
acting and  imperious,  but  kind  and  generous  in  his 
own  way.  He  founded  and  managed  the  famous  Black 
Ball  Line.  His  subordinates  had  to  toe  the  mark.  A 
ship  lay  at  the  dock  ready  for  sea.  The  captain  went 
ashore  for  his  clothes.  Marshall  saw  a captain  stand- 
ing on  the  wharf,  put  him  on  board,  and  sent  out  the 
ship,  leaving  the  tardy  officer  to  settle  his  disapx)oint- 
ment  as  best  he  might. 

James  Harper’s  Card. — ‘‘I  served  my  apiDrentice- 
shii3,”  said  Mr.  Harper,  ‘‘near  the  spot  on  which  I am 
sitting.  I did  the  rough  work  of  the  office.  Rich  men 
lived  in  this  locality.  Their  sons  were  idle,  and  took 
pains  to  annoy  me.  One  would  say : ‘ Harper,  who 
made  your  boots?’  Another  : ‘ Jim,  give  me  a card  to 
your  tailor.’  A stout,  ugly  boy,  wdiose  father  was  a 
rich  lawyer,  pushed  me  nearly  down.  I turned,  gave 
him  a kick,  and  said  : ‘ There  ! take  that.  That  is  my 
card.  When  I am  in  business  and  you  are  a poor 
worthless  fellow  in  want,  as  you  will  be,  call  on  me  and 
I will  give  you  work  if  you  deserve  to  have  it.’  Since 
I have  been  on  this  spot  in  Franklin  square,  that  man 
called  on  me.  He  was  in  actual  want.  He  reminded 
me  of  my  card  and  solicited  assistance.  I gave  it  to 
him.” 

The  present  orthodoxy  star  is  Rev.  Joseph  Cook. 
I shall  consider  Mr.  Cook  simply  from  a business 
standpoint.  With  his  orthodoxy  or  his  relations  to  the 
church,  I have  nothing  to  do.  I refer  to  him  in  his 
business  relations  as  I refer  to  Malfett  and  Moody, 
Earle  and  Sankey.  A man  wffio  begins  a line  of  busi- 


504 


SUCCESSFUL  FOLKS. 


ness  without  a coat  on  his  back,  or  a roof  of  a cabin  to 
cover  him,  and  receives  sixty  thousand  dollars  a year 
copyright  on  a hymn-book,  and  can  give  away  five 
thousand  dollars  to  a college,  and  seven  thousand  dol- 
lars to  mission  work  in  cities,  has  done  well.  An  evan- 
gelist who  makes  a speculation  on  the  coast,  and  comes 
back  in  six  months  with  eighteen  thousand  dollars 
gold,  has  not  made  a bad  venture.  A man  who  spends 
six  months  in  helping  the  churches,  and  carries  away 
twelve  thousand  dollars,  as  the  Bible  puts  it,  “has 
done  well  for  himself.” 

Mr.  Cook  illustrates  the  law  of  supply  and  de- 
mand. He  had  a marketable  article  that  the  commu- 
nity needs.  He  met  a want.  Infidelity  was  bold,  ram- 
pant, defiant,  popular.  Lecturers  coined  money  by  at- 
tacking religion  on  the  lecture  platform.  One  of  the 
most  popular  speakers  of  the  day  pocketed  two  hun- 
dred dollars  a night  by  mingling  politics  with  atheism. 
Semi-Christian  men  used  the  lecture  field  to  attack 
evangelical  truth.  Some  one  was  needed  to  strike  back  ; 
to  return  the  jeer  and  the  laugh  ; to  speak  boldly  from 
a scientific  standpoint,  for  the  truth  that  the  masses 
receive.  Mr.  Cook  was  equal  to  the  demand.  His  learn- 
ing was  varied,  and  in  the  coin  of  the  realm.  He  was 
bold,  vehement,  daring,  defiant,  trenchant,  audacious. 
Two  hundred  dollars  a night  was  his  compensation. 
His  time  was  occupied  a month  ahead.  He  will  slip, 
where  all  men  of  his  class  always  slip.  Already  criti- 
cism is  on  his  track.  His  want  of  freshness  ; repeating 
himself  in  various  cities  ; driving  hard-money  bar- 
gains ; being  rude  and  uncivil ; a sort  of  social  boor  ; 
harmed  by  patronage,  with  his  head  turned  by  success. 
He  will  fulfill  his  mission,  and  take  his  place  with 
other  retired  sensationalists. 

Outside  of  the  pulpit,  the  churches  have  always  had 
aid,  and  will  have  to  the  end  ; but  the  evangelism  of 


MERCANTILE  OUTLOOK. 


505 


America  bears  no  relation  to  the  sturdy  and  steady 
church  work,  to  which  the  pastor  is  called.  Cornering 
gold  is  not  trade.  Black  Fridays  do  not  make  mer- 
chant princes.  Fifty  years  of  experience  show  this. 
Whoever  writes  the  history  of  our  merchant,  mechani- 
cal or  agricultural  life,  must  write  the  history  of  reli- 
gion. Church  life  is  older  than  the  State.  The  ele- 
ments that  touched  Plymouth  Rock  at  the  same 
moment,  were  the  minister,  the  magistrate,  and  the 
soldier.  The  minister  preached  morals,  the  magistrate 
laid  down  the  law,  the  soldier  enforced  obedience. 
Five  years  of  business  life  did  not  pass  without  bring- 
ing the  necessity  of  all  three  of  these  elements  to  main- 
tain the  general  tranquillity.  When  men  dwelt  in  huts, 
the  best  log- cabin  was  the  house  of  the  Lord.  When 
they  dwelt  in  ceiled  houses,  the  best  was  the  sanctuary. 
To-day,  in  the  sparse  settlements  of  America,  the  pas- 
tor of  the  poorest  flock  maintains  the  average  living 
with  his  people.  In  our  costliest  cities  the  most  mag- 
niticent  structures  are  the  churches  of  the  Most  High. 
The  pastoral  ofiice,  as  of  old,  is  to-day  held  in  all 
honor.  Religion  is  the  foe  of  indolence,  wickedness, 
and  anarchy.  These  subtle  elements  are  like  a rat- 
hole  in  a dyke  of  Holland — insigniflcant  in  themselves 
— unless  watched,  and  checked,  able  to  flood  and  sweep 
away  the  glory,  beauty,  and  the  power  of  a nation. 
God  save  the  State  ! 


THE  END. 


1878 


1878. 


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Threading  My  Way— The  Autobiography  of  Robert  Dale  Owen i 50 

The  Debatable  Land— By  Robert  Dale  Owen 2 00 

Lights  and  Shadows  of  Spiritualism— By  D.  D.  Home 2 00 

Glimpses  of  the  Supernatural — Facts,  Records,  and  Traditions 2 00 

Lion  Jack— A New  Illustrated  Menagerie  Book  for  Boys.  — P.  T.  Barnum i 50 

West  India  Pickles — Journal  of  a Tropical  Yacht  Cruise,  by  W.  P.  Talboys. . . . 

G.  A.  Crofutt’s  Trans-Continental  Tourist— New  York  to  San  Francisco.... 

Laus  Veneris  and  other  Poems— By  Algernon  Charles  Swinburne 

Parodies  and  Poems  and  My  Vacation — By  C.  H.  Webb  (John  Paul) i 50 

Comic  History  of  the  United  States — Livingston  Hopkins.  Illustrated i 50 

Mother  Goose  Melodies  Set  to  Music— with  comic  illustrations 1 00 

Jacques  Offenbach’s  Experiences  in  America — From  the  Paris  edition i 50 

How  to  Make  Money  ; and  How  to  Keep  It— By  Thomas  A.  Davies i 50 

Our  Children — Teaching  Parents  how  to  keep  them  in  Health.— Dr.  Gardner. ..  i 00 

Watchman  ; What  of  the  Night  ? — By  Dr.  John  Cnmming,  of  London i 50 

Fanny  Fern  Memorials— With  a Biography,  by  James  Parton 2 00 

Tales  from  the  Operas — A Collection  of  Stories  based  upon  thaOpera  Plots i 50 

New  Nonsense  Rhymes — By  W.  H.  Beckett,  with  illustrations  by  C.  G.  Bush,  i oo 

Progressive  Petticoats— A Satirical  Tale,  by  Robert  B.  Roosevelt i 50 

Souvenirs  of  Travel — By  Madame  Octavia  Walton  Le  Vert,  of  Mobile,  Ala 2 00 

V/oman,  Love,  and  Marriage — A spicy  little  Work,  by  Fred  Saundens i 50 

The  Fall  of  Man— A Darwinian  Satire,  by  author  of  “ New  Gospel  of  Peace” 50 

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Transformation  Scenes  in  the  United  States — By  Hiram  Fuller i 50 

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Silcott  Mill— Maria  D.  Deslonde...  i 75 
John  Maribel.  Do.  ...  i 75 

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Saint  Leger — Richard  B.  Kimball.,  i 75 
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Romance  of  Student  Life.  . Do.  i 75 

To-Day Do.  i 75 

Life  in  San  Domingo.  . . . Do.  i 50 

Henry  Powers.  Banker.  . . Do.  i 75 

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Romance  of  Railroad — Smith  i 50 

Charette — An  American  novel i 50 

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Hilt  to  Hilt.  Do I 50 

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Hammer  and  Rapier. Do i 50 

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CHARLES  DICKEI^S’  WORKS. 


A I^ew  EdUSosi.  \ 

iAmom?  the  many  editions  of  the  works  of  this  greatest  ^ < 

Knglish  Novelists,  there  has  not  been  until  now  that  entkely 
I satisfies  the  public  demand. — Without  exception,  they  each  have  I 
some  strong  distinctive  objection, — either  the  form  and  dimensions  j 
of  the  volumes  are  unhandy — or,  the  type  is  small  and  indistinct— 
or,  the  Dlustrations  are  unsatisfactory — or,  the  binding  is  poor — or, 
the  price  ts  too  high. 

An  entirely  new  edition  is  new,  however,  published  by  G.  W, 
Carleton  & Co.  of  New  York,  which,  it  is  believed,  will,  in  every 
re^ct,  completely  satisfy  the  popular  demand. — It  is  known  as 

“Car!et®n’§  Mew  II9u§trated  Edition.’’ 

Complete  in  15  Volumes. 

The  size  and  form  is  most  convenient  for  holding, — ^the  type  b 
entirely  new,  and  of  a clear  and  open  character  that  has  received  the  ' 
approval  of  tire  reading  community  in  other  popular  works. 

The  illustrations  are  by  the  original  artists  chosen  ly  Charles 
Dickens  himself — and  the  paper,  printing,  and  binding  are  of  an 
attractive  and  substantial  character. 

This  beautiful  new  edition  is  complete  in  15  volumes — at  the 
extremely  reasonable  price  of  $1.50  per  volume,  as  follows; — 

1.  — PICKWICK  PAPERS  AND  CATALOGUE. 

2.  — OLIVER  TWIST. — UNCOMMERCIAL  TRAVELLER.  1 

3.  — DAVID  COPPERFIELD. 

4.  — GREAT  EXPECTATIONS. — ITALY  AND  AMERICA* 

5.  — DOMBEY  AND  SON. 

6.  — BARNABY  RUDGE  AND  EDWIN  DROOD. 

7.  — NICHOLAS  NICKLEBY. 

8.  — CURIOSITY  SHOP  AND  MISCELLANEOUS, 

9.  — BLEAK  HOUSE. 

Sa — LITTLE  DORRIT. 

11.  — MARTIN  CIIUZZLEWIT. 

12.  — OUR  MUTUAL  FRIEND. 

13.  — CHRISTMAS  BOOKS. — TALE  OF  TWO  CITIES. 

I 4. — SKETCHES  BY  i^OZ  AND  HARD  TIMES. 

15. — child’s  ENGLAND  AND  MISCELLANEOUS. 

The  first  volume  —Pickwick  Papers — contains  an  alphabetic;*] 
catalogue  of  all  of  Charles  Dickens’  writings,  with  their  positioas  1 
in  the  volumes. 

This  edition  is  sold  by  Booksellers,  everywhere — and  single  speci- 
men ewies  will  be  forwarded  by  m^,  postage  free^  on  receipt  of 
pfke,  |i.50>  by 

G.  W.  CARLETON  k CO.,  Publishers, 

Madison  Square,  New  York, 


Mary  J.  Holmes’  Works. 


r-TEMPEST  AND  SUNSHINE.  8.— 1 


--ENGLISH  ORPHANS. 

5. --HOMESTEAD  ON  HILLSIDE. 
^ -'LENA  RIVERS. 
i -MEADOW  BROOK. 

A— DORA  DEANE, 
f.— COUSIN  MAUDE. 
i6,  -WEST  LAWN. 


9 — 


II.- 

13. - 

14. - 


17.— 


MARIAN  GRAY. 

DARKNESS  and  DAYLIGHT 
HUGH  WORTHINGTON. 
CAMERON  PRIDE. 

ROSE  MATHER. 
ETHELVN’S  MISTAKE. 
MILLBANK. 

EDNA  BROWNING. 

EDITH  LYLE. 


OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 

“Mrs.  Holmes’  stories  are  universally  read.  Her  admirers  are  numberless. 
She  is  in  many  respects  without  a rival  in  the  world  of  fiction.  Her  characters 
Ere  alw-ays  life-like,  and  she  makes  them  talk  and  act  like  human  beings,  subject 
to  the  same  emotions,  swayed  by  the  same  passions,  and  actuated  by  the  same 
tnonves  which  are  common  among  men  and  women  of  every  day  existence.  Mrs. 
Holmes  is  very  happy  in  portraying  domestic  life.  Old  and  young  peruse  her 
atories  with  great  delight,  for  she  writes  in  a style  that  all  can  comprehend.” — 
VorA  Weeify.  * 

“Mrs.  Holmes’  stories  are  all  of  a domestic  character,  and  their  interest, 
therelore,  is  not  so  intense  as  if  they  were  more  highly  seasoned  with  sensational- 
ism, but  it  is  r f a healthy  and  abiding  character.  Almost  any  new  book  which  her 
publisher  might  choose  to  announce  from  her  pen  would  get  an  immediate  and 
general  reading.  The  interest  in  her  tales  begins  at  once,  and  is  maintained  to 
the  close.  Her  sentiments  are  so  sound,  her  sympathies  so  warm  and  ready, 
and  her  knowledge  of  manners,  character,  and  the  varied  incidents  of  01  dinary 
tits  is  so  thorough,  that  she  would  find  it  difficult  to  write  any  other  than  an 
excellent  tale  if  she  were  to  try  it” — Boston  Banner. 

“Mrs.  Holmes  is  very  amusing;  has  a quick  and  true  sense  ol  hemor,  a 
sympathetic  tone,  a perception  of  character,  and  a familial,  attractive  style, 
pleasantly  adapted  to  the  comprehension  and  the  taste  of  that  large  class  si 
American  readers  for  whom  fashionable  novels  and  ideal  fantasies  have  bo 
dkarm.” — Henry  T.  Tuckerman. 


The  voltames  are  ah  handsomely  printed  and  bound  in  doth.— sold 
itwywhore,  and  sent  by  mxA,  postage  free,  on  receipt  of  price  [fi.50  each],  by 

Q.  W CARLETON  & CO.,  Publishers, 

Madison  Square^  Nav  York. 


